February 19, 2011 marked the 11th Project Homeless Connect event held in Calgary. Project Homeless Connect (PHC) is a one-day event that is held to offer services and materials to those in Calgary who are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing homelessness. Booths were provided by around 45 agencies who offer a large variety of services. Some of the services that were provided included haircuts, medical treatment, legal assistance, mental health information, clothing and a hot lunch. Over 820 Calgarians were in attendance, despite the outrageous cold temperature that day. In its duration, PHC has reached close to 8000 individuals and is a vital stepping stone on the path to ending homelessness in Calgary.
AIDS Calgary has been involved with PHC for many years, as we have found it to be an excellent way to reach out to those individuals who have been affected by homelessness. At this past February's event, we provided information about our support programs and services, answered any HIV or safer sex related questions, and handed out safer sex materials such as condoms and dental dams.
So what was it like to be in the midst of PHC? In one word: eye-opening. Often times I think we forget how serious homelessness is, and take for granted our own socio-economic stability. To put homelessness into perspective, The City of Calgary had over 4000 people who were deemed absolute homeless in 2008, which was an 18% increase from 2006*. The City defines absolute homelessness as those who are living on the streets as well as those who are accessing longer term shelters*. Unfortunately, the effects of homelessness are magnified for those who are experiencing an illness, especially those who are living with HIV/AIDS.
Although basic needs such as housing stability are essential to maintaining both HIV/AIDS and mental health treatment, many people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) experience unstable living arrangements. Our recent briefing document “Housing, Health & HIV”, outlines how essential stable housing is to PLWHAs mental and physical health, as well as the connection between stable housing and the prevention of transmission.
Regardless of a person’s health status the fact remains that we all need to recognize the impact homelessness has on our society and increase our measures towards ending homelessness. This may sound like a repetitive message; however, PHC really opened my eyes to just how real this issue is for so many people, from all walks of life. As a person from the suburbs of south Calgary, homelessness is not something that I see in front of me too often. Attending PHC reminded me how much needs to be accomplished in order to end homelessness in our city. The single most important thing that I gained from PHC was that “homeless” shouldn’t be a label. These individuals are people just like you and me, experiencing something most of us can’t imagine, and the best thing we can offer them is to be ourselves, and to be open to hearing their story. And that is something everyone can do.
The next Project Homeless Connect is being held on Saturday, May 28, 2011 at the Suncor Energy Centre. To read more about AIDS Calgary’s briefing document previously mentioned in this article “Housing, Health & HIV”, click here.
This article was written by one of AIDS Calgary’s practicum students.
References:
*The City of Calgary. Community and Neighborhood Services Social Research Unit; Fast Facts, 2011.
http://www.calgaryhomeless.com/default.asp?FolderID=3701
AIDS Calgary Awareness Association. Housing, Health & HIV, Briefing Document, March 2011
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