Founded in 1981, Calgary Alpha House Society (Alpha House) provides a safe space for Calgarians who are addicted to alcohol or other drugs. In addition to addiction, many clients struggle with mental and physical illness. Alpha House provides support to people at any stage of addiction or recovery. The charity operates four core programs: shelter, detox & transition, housing, and outreach.  

Through its shelter program, Alpha House offers 120 mats for use by people who are under the influence of drugs or are struggling with substance abuse. Since opening, the shelter has consistently housed between 102 and 144 people per night. The detox program offers 38 beds for people who are going through withdrawal. For detox patients needing extended support, there are 4 beds in the transitional program.

Alpha House supports recovering addicts in finding and maintaining long-term housing. The charity provides different levels of support depending on client needs. For those who can live independently, Alpha House helps to coordinate leases with landlords in the Calgary area. The charity can provide 24-hour care in its five long-term housing buildings. One of the buildings is designated to house veterans and the newest house is women-only.

Alpha House works to connect homeless addicts with its programs through the Downtown Outreach Addiction Partnership Team (DOAP Team). The team interacts with approximately 650 individuals per month, connecting them to appropriate medical care or addiction support services. When homeless addicts have been hospitalized, the DOAP Team guides the person through where they can access services when released.

Results and Impact: In 2014, Calgary Alpha House Society participated in a study which found that the DOAP Team produced $9.43 in social value for every $1 invested in the program. Through early intervention, the team reduces costly interactions between the addict and emergency services including police and EMS. Value is created for addicts through helping them avoid tickets for public intoxication and connecting them to valuable services including the shelter and addiction treatment.

Calgary Alpha House Society is a Large charity, with donations of $10.8m in F2018. The charity received $7.6m in grants from Calgary Homeless Foundation which comprised 71% of donations or 48% of total revenues. Government funding of $4.0m represents 25% of total revenues.

Administrative and fundraising costs are 7% of revenues. For every $1 donated, 93 cents go to the cause, falling within Ci’s reasonable range. Alpha House has $404k in funding reserves which could cover program costs for less than one month, indicating a need for funding. The charity’s funding reserves decreased by 82% from F2017 to F2018 due to a new bank loan related to building the women’s residence.  

This charity report has been sent to Calgary Alpha House Society for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Created on July 27, 2018 by Madison Kerr.