DI History

50 years of excellence in serving our communities.

The old Calgary Drop-In Centre The DI has been a familiar face in the homeless sector since 1961. The DI was originally operated through a joint initiative of the Roman Catholic Diocese and the Calgary Interfaith Community Action Committee in 1961.

The purpose of this endeavor was to provide services in the east end of the city to homeless individuals who needed shelter and food.

In 1977 the two groups amalgamated, and the present Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre Society was founded. The DI is governed by the Board of Directors of the Calgary Drop-In Centre Society, an incorporated, non-denominational, non-profit, charitable organization. It is administered by a full time staff and volunteers.

Marie Long Time Squirrel – Homeless, not jobless. Since its inception, The DI has continued to grow to meet the rising demand for emergency shelter and food within Calgary’s homeless and low-income population. Initially, services included meals, sleeping for up to 20 men and women and no daytime services. Over the course of the next few years, space and sleeping capacity were increased. In 1997, day services were added and the DI has provided 24/7 continuous operation since that time.

In addition to the old Drop-In Centre (DI), satellite locations were opened in order to provide service to the increased number of individuals seeking emergency shelter. As well, to provide transitional housing for men who were looking to move from street life to restoring their place in society, a transition housing facility was acquired in 1996 (Centre 110).

Over the course of the following 3 years, The DI added three satellite Shelters (C111 – 1998 (no longer in operation), C2032 – 1999 and C2507 – 2001) operated under licensing agreements with the Province of Alberta and the City of Calgary. Operation of C2032 was discontinued in July 2009 due to construction of a new LRT line.  On September 11, 2001 the new DI was opened at 423 – 4th Ave. S.E. This 107,000 sq.ft., 6 story building was designed to handle what the City and management believed to be the needs of homeless individuals for the next 10 years. It reached capacity one year after opening.

The DI today

Today, The DI has the capacity to shelter 1,100 individuals a night. Due to the diverse needs of our population, we offer three levels of accommodation. In the fall of 2008 C110 was sold to the Inn From the Cold Society.

Proceeds from the sale were used to purchase the Sundial building, a 119 unit apartment building in the inner core. The Province of Alberta contributed 7 million dollars towards the purchase of the building.

“This funding supports strong and healthy communities and is part of government’s overall strategy to create more affordable housing across the province,” said Premier Ed Stelmach in a press release. ” The province is pleased to be a partner in reducing homelessness, increasing the availability of housing while providing economic stability in communities across the province.”

Four Levels of Housing

Emergency Beds

• Riverfront Ave. – 3rd Floor
• Centre 2507

Short & Long Term Supported Living

• Riverfront Ave. – 4th and 5th floors
• Centre 2507 (assigned beds)

Affordable Housing

• Bridgeland Manor – Seniors
• Sundial