Homeless rate falls; more work needed

It's something Calgary officials haven't seen in twenty years, homeless numbers in the city have declined but experts say it's too soon to break open the bubbly.

The figures are from the preliminary report on "The State of Homelessness in Calgary in 2012," that show rates fell 11.4% from 2008 to 2012.

The homeless count also calculated that the rough sleeping population (those sleeping outside) is significantly smaller that previously believed.

Calgary Homeless Foundation President and CEO Tim Richter however says with 3,190 people homeless, it's too soon to declare victory.

Richter told an audience Monday morning in the MacDougall Centre one of the biggest issues continues to be affordable housing.

It's why he explains they've shifted their strategy from addressing the problem to hopefully working towards preventing it.

"It's important to realize it's not just about money," he says. "Because we already are spending a lot of money on homelessness, in 2007 about 300 Million dollars was being spent every year, part of it is having that plan."

Cities across the province have all reported similar numbers, including Edmonton, Fort McMurray and Lethbridge (a decline of 74%).

Richter says there are still alarming statistics with the report, including a large influx of aboriginal families they're seeing without somewhere to live.

Jennifer Stupek was recently released from prison, convicted of trafficking cocaine and was found somewhere to live.

She credits help from the system in helping her get off the streets and allowing her to be reunited with her twin boys.

The system however she says is not without it's problems.

"I would like to see less wait times, easier application processess, I don't think they've have the right to ask you about any criminal records," she says.

Officials continue to keep an eye on those 14,000 individuals at greatest risk of losing their residence.

The top communities they've zeroed in on are the downtown core, Chinatown, East Village, Albert Park, Forest Lawn, Forest Lawn Industrial, Highland Park, Rosscarrock and Manchester.

Their goal is by January 29, 2018 "an individual or family will stay in an emergency shelter or sleep outside for no longer than one week before moving into a safe, decent affordable home with the support needed to sustain it."

"Our goal is within reach," says Richter.