Governments of all levels have been talking about ending homelessness for some time now, but Medicine Hat is actually walking the talk.

With a population over 63,000, Medicine Hat, for all intents and purposes, has put an end to chronic homelessness – a cycle in which individuals are perpetually stuck, residing in shelters, or worse, living on the streets for extended periods.

It's a goal seven municipalities across Alberta, including Calgary, vowed to accomplish almost a decade ago. But only Medicine Hat can claim success — outside of a handful of individuals who continue to use the city's shelter system on a long-term basis.

Inn from the Cold reports consistent number of bed stays to 2015

A haven of hope – that's how many guests at Inn from the Cold describe Alberta's only barrier-free shelter exclusively for families, which continues to see capacity-like numbers leading into one of its busiest times of the year.

"One of the things we're doing here is restoring dignity," said director of donor relations Janeen Webb.

In the face of Alberta's ongoing economic downturn, Inn from the Cold has reported about 30,000 bed stays so far in 2016. Webb said that's consistent with 2015 when the organization saw almost 40,000 stays by year's end.

Housing officials cite increasing rates of overcrowding in Calgary's housing market

Housing experts say a soft labour pool brought upon by weak economic conditions is partly to blame for increasing rates of overcrowding, or "underhousing" in Calgary homes.

RESOLVE executive director Sheryl Barlage – whose organization is made up of nine partner agencies aimed at building affordable and supported rental homes for 3,000 homeless and vulnerable Calgarians by March 31, 2018 – says about 3,500 Calgarians were considered homeless in a recent Homeless Foundation survey, with about 14,000 at risk of homelessness – and that doesn't include people "couch-surfing."

With the economic downturn, "we know fundamentally that number is up. It's hard to get a handle; people are one paycheque away (from homelessness) or aren't in appropriate housing. And the current economic climate (as well as) social issues are impacting the need. But the need has always been urgent."

Beltline assisted-living building first for campaign

Calgarians at risk of homeless will soon have added housing options, with the news that Stepping Stone Manor, a 30-unit assisted-living apartment building in Calgary's Beltine, is near completion.

Representing the first new construction project to be completed through the RESOLVE campaign, the building has funded by donors, provincial grants and built by Cedarglen Living Inc.

John Harrop talks about what's in store for 2016

Affordable housing emerged as a pressing topic in Calgary this year, as housing prices, rents and vacancy rates challenged people's access to shelter. In fact, wanting to find a solution to the city's growing housing affordability is what drove John Harrop to his new role as president and CEO of Attainable Homes Calgary Corp.

CREB®Now had a chance to sit down with Harrop to discuss everything from the economy's impact on affordable housing to what goes into creating the perfect community. Here's what he had to say:

From shipping containers to crowd funding

A continuous decline in affordable housing, along with an increase in the populations who need it, is forcing Calgary agencies to seek creative solutions.

"I'm looking for anything that can help us provide housing in a more economical way," said David Watson, president and CEO of Attainable Homes Calgary, a not-for-profit that helps Calgarians at a moderate income level get on the property ladder. "The more ideas we can bring to the table to reduce the costs of houses, the better."

The citywide benchmark price for homes in Calgary in June totaled $455,400, a figure that puts housing firmly out of reach for many vulnerable Calgarians.

Meanwhile, the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the city rose by almost six per cent in the 12 months leading up to April 2015, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.

To address the crisis, Watson's organization is looking at all its options, including repurposing surplus shipping containers from China that are brought in by rail from Vancouver to Alberta. Carstairs-based Blocks Modular, for example, is currently turning the containers into stackable living spaces at a fraction of the cost of traditional homes.

Stampede event highlights continuing urgency to house Calgarians in need

With the Calgary Stampede shining a spotlight on our city's sense of community, an event held during this year's Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth highlighted the continuing needs of some of our community's most vulnerable citizens.

As part of Stampede Week, Horizon Housing – one of several local organizations dedicated to housing the city's most vulnerable residents – held a barbecue, with residents on hand from the organization's properties.

Serving tenants with a variety of special needs – including those with mental health challenges, physical disability, families and seniors living below the poverty line and the working poor – Horizon Housing executive director Kim O'Brien said while the current state of Alberta's economy is debatable, it hasn't changed the willingness of Calgarians to give to a good cause.