Living conditions refer to the day-to-day circumstances that impact how people live, specifically their access to essential resources like adequate housing, nutritious food, financial stability, and basic support services. When these needs go unmet, it’s more than just an inconvenience; it can deeply affect a person or family’s sense of security, their ability to manage stress, and even their ability to form meaningful relationships or participate in their community.
Improving living conditions is about more than just alleviating immediate stress. It’s about providing the foundation for long-term stability and resilience. When individuals and families can access the resources they need, they are empowered to overcome challenges, engage in their communities, and build a better future.
What We’re Doing
Carya offers a variety of programs and services designed to provide the resources and guidance people need to navigate their unique circumstances:
- Financial Wellness Supports: Empowering individuals (18+) and families with the resources and guidance needed to enhance financial literacy.
- Food Programming: Providing individuals and families with opportunities to develop essential food-related skills for improved nutrition and health.
- Older Adult Crisis Stabilization and Outreach: Providing immediate support for older adults in crisis, helping them access resources and navigate systems to regain stability.
- Elder Abuse Response and Prevention: Offering immediate support and resources to older adults at risk of or experiencing abuse, while educating the community and professionals on prevention and safety.
- The Way In Network: A collaboration of Calgary-based agencies working together to enhance the quality of life and access to support services for vulnerable older adults and their families.
- In Place Social Prescribing Network: Connecting individuals to community-based, non-medical supports to enhance overall well-being.
Dixon’s Story: A Real-World Example of Support in Action
Dixon, an immigrant who had moved to Calgary several years ago, contacted Carya through The Way In Network, a collaboration of Calgary-based agencies offering seniors supports, hoping he may be able to find help. Dixon had been laid off from his job and found himself living in an unsustainable housing situation. He was no longer able to pay his rent and was given an eviction notice. Dixon was very worried and had no money for food or medication and was struggling to seek emergency funding or pensions due to language limitations.
Once Carya understood his circumstances, a plan of action was developed for Dixon. Emergency food assistance from the Carya pantry program provided him with food while hamper requests were made to the Food Bank. Carya’s small crisis fund provided money for a few transit tickets, and Carya’s outreach worker helped him to apply for a low-income transit pass. Assistance was provided to help Dixon access emergency medication coverage, and he was registered for Blue Cross for health coverage. Through advocacy and persistence, the eviction was delayed until Dixon could find suitable housing.
Carya’s tax program volunteers completed and filed several years of returns for Dixon, allowing him to access all appropriate federal and provincial pensions and benefits. While these applications were being processed, Carya helped Dixon apply for monthly income support through Alberta Works. A few weeks later, all his pensions were approved, which provided Dixon with some much-needed financial stability.
Today, Dixon is thriving.
He now lives in subsidized and sustainable housing, has made many connections and friendships, and no longer needs crisis support. He has even saved enough money to visit his family back home and is actively engaging in his community.
Our Broader Impact
Dixon’s experience reflects the broader reach of Carya’s services. In 2024, Carya supported more than 650 low-income participants in filing income taxes and applying for benefits, pensions, and subsidies. These essential services help individuals like Dixon access the financial resources they need to regain stability and improve their living conditions.
Why Living Conditions Matter
The pressures Dixon faced, such as losing his job, struggling with housing, and navigating language barriers, reflect challenges that many people in our city experience. In Calgary, individuals and families face ongoing struggles in balancing the costs of housing, utilities, food, and transportation. These financial pressures can prevent people from meeting their basic needs, which impacts their physical, mental, and social well-being.
Without stable access to essentials, people experience heightened stress that can affect relationships, mental health, and their ability to engage with their community. For Dixon, the lack of stable access to food, medication, and housing intensified his stress and was compounded by language barriers.
Beyond the immediate hardships of securing essentials, financial pressures often contribute to more complex issues, such as strained family relationships, poor mental health, and social isolation. By improving living conditions, we help people address these foundational challenges, providing them with the stability they need to thrive in all areas of life.