Canmore’s Emergency Shelter Saw a 1,420% Jump in Overcapacity Nights Last Winter

The Homelessness Society of the Bow Valley reported a significant rise in demand for its emergency winter shelter during an update to Canmore’s Committee of the Whole on November 18. Last winter, the shelter exceeded its capacity on 71 nights, a 1,420 percent increase compared with the previous year. The number of unique individuals supported also grew, and staff provided 937 hot meals over the season.

The shelter operates from November 1 to April 1 at Scout Hall and recently increased its capacity from eight to ten beds following advice from Alberta Health Services. Even with the additional beds, staff told council they expect to face challenges during peak winter nights. The largest single-night count last season was 14 individuals.

Long-Term Residents Represent a Majority of Shelter Users

Council members noted a misconception that winter shelter users are typically newcomers or short-term visitors. According to the data presented, about half of last winter’s guests had lived in the Bow Valley for more than five years, and many had lived locally much longer. Only about 25 percent were considered short-term residents.

Mayor Sean Krausert said the figures underscore that the program primarily serves established community members who are struggling with housing insecurity, not transient populations. He described the work as “life-saving” and urged continued attention to the trend.

Housing Insecurity Is Affecting More Working Residents

Executive Director Jessica Klaric told council that the organization is seeing a broader range of people experiencing housing instability, including residents who are employed but unable to secure long-term housing. She said the area is experiencing “a wider range of demographics” facing housing stress, with more individuals sleeping in vehicles during the warmer months and seeking shelter in winter when temperatures drop.

Klaric emphasized that increased awareness of the shelter may be contributing to higher usage, but the overall trend still indicates rising need.

Safe Park Program Highlights Summer Pressures

The town’s administrative update also highlighted growing demand for the Safe Park program, which provides seasonal overnight parking permits for people living in their vehicles. The program issued 55 vehicle permits this summer, supporting 67 individuals who were all local workers. The program ran from May 1 to September 30 and operated on a cost-recovery model, with fees of $300 for the season or $100 per month.

Safe Park is one of the few structured vehicle-living programs of its kind in Alberta. It was created in response to Canmore’s longstanding housing shortage and the seasonal workforce that often struggles to find available rentals. The program is designed to provide a safer, more regulated alternative to informal vehicle camping and to connect participants with community resources.

Programs Reveal a Continuum of Hidden Homelessness

Together, the winter shelter and Safe Park program illustrate what officials described as a growing continuum of “hidden homelessness” in the Bow Valley. During summer, individuals without stable housing are more likely to live in vehicles. During winter, those same individuals may seek space at the shelter when overnight temperatures drop.

This pattern is not always visible to the public or captured in traditional homelessness counts. Klaric told council that outreach efforts, including phone and email support and limited in-person outreach, attempt to fill this gap. The organization responds daily to requests for help with system navigation, referrals, and basic services.

Food Cupboard Pilot Underscores Community Need

The Homelessness Society also updated council on the Community Food Cupboard, a collaboration with Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Canmore, the Bow Valley Food Bank, and the Bow Valley Food Alliance. Between May 26 and November 1, the pilot saw 527 visits and distributed more than 7,200 food items. Due to strong demand, the program has been temporarily relocated to FCSS space while a longer-term location is secured.

Council members said the rapid uptake of the food cupboard further illustrates the pressures facing residents who may be working but still unable to meet basic needs in one of Canada’s most expensive housing markets.

Municipal Housing Initiatives Continue, but Pressures Remain

The town continues to support long-term housing solutions, including developments through Canmore Community Housing and ongoing work with nonprofit partners. Several projects are underway, but officials acknowledged that meeting immediate need remains a challenge.

“There is no question the need is great,” Krausert said, referencing both the shelter’s capacity issues and the growth of the Safe Park program. “The data points to a clear and growing pressure on residents.”

Looking Ahead

As the winter season begins, the shelter expects to continue facing nights when the number of people seeking a bed exceeds available capacity. When space is unavailable, staff attempt to refer individuals to partner agencies such as the YWCA Banff or, when possible, arrange hotel rooms through agreements with local providers. Availability is limited.

The combined data from both programs indicates that Canmore’s housing affordability challenges are not limited to any one demographic and are increasingly affecting long-term residents, local workers, and people who have traditionally remained out of public view. Officials said the programs remain an essential part of the community’s response as broader housing solutions continue to develop.