New Vibrant Communities Calgary study reveals connection between social disorders and public transit

Vibrant Communities Calgary (VCC), in collaboration with researchers from the University of Calgary and Dr. Nick Falvo, an expert in housing and homelessness, has released a study examining social disorder as it relates to public transit in Calgary, Alberta.   

The study, No Place to Go, examines more than 160 research papers, data on social disorder at train stations and deaths from substance use and interviews shelter clients, transit workers, police officers and community outreach staff to understand the factors contributing to social disorder. 

“As our communities grapple with intersecting crises related to housing, affordability and addiction, this study sheds light on critical issues impacting public safety and the urgent need for solutions. While some solutions require time and systemic changes, it all begins with ensuring we have stable housing so more and more people aren’t being pushed into homelessness,” said VCC Executive Director Meaghon Reid.    

Key highlights of the research:  

• In Calgary, there has been an 186 percent increase in unintentional acute deaths due to substance use from 2016 to 2023.  
• Public spaces, including transit, have become the primary locations for unintentional opioid poisoning incidents. Individuals struggling with addiction often choose to use drugs in public because they believe there’s a better chance of being discovered if they experience a medical emergency.  
• Some homeless shelters are perceived as unsafe by both police and transit peace officers who were interviewed. Encampment sleeping rose fivefold from 2018 to 2023 in Calgary.  
• Police, transit officers and community workers are experiencing trauma on the frontlines from exposure to overdose deaths, which are becoming more and more commonplace.  
• Despite their best efforts, police often struggle to connect individuals to medical care (addiction and mental health) when transporting them to hospitals due to a lack of treatment options.  
• There is no relationship between adding more police and reducing crime. The research examined indicates more policing is a short-term solution at best.  
• Five Calgary stations stand out as hotspots for social disorder: Chinook, City Hall/Bow Valley College, Marlborough and Victoria Park.  

The report recommends investments in emergency shelter space in the form of design upgrades for existing facilities, more accessibility at all times rather than only at night and the creation of daytime options. It also recommends investments in treatment, harm reduction and medical respite for people experiencing homelessness, as well as more coordinated street outreach, are needed. Well-funded affordable supportive housing programs for vulnerable people were also recommended for improving social disorder in public spaces.   

“All too often, it’s all about the numbers, the statistics, but behind the numbers are people. People serving on the frontlines like community outreach workers and police and people who are struggling with homelessness. Their perspectives and quotes may be uncomfortable to read but that’s how we learn and grow and hopefully, make things better,” said Lee Stevens, co-researcher of the study.  

"It’s clear that people experiencing homelessness need places to go during the daytime. Even as we work towards long-term solutions like housing, more options are in everyone's best interest," Falvo said.