Homeless foundation gets $6.2M

The province is putting $6.2 million toward creating 52 permanent homes for the homeless in Calgary.

The money is going to the Calgary Homeless Foundation, which will purchase or develop existing housing in the city rather than build new units from scratch.

The funding was announced Monday in Calgary as part of Alberta's plan to end homelessness.

In March, the Alberta government approved a plan with a $3.3 billion price tag to eradicate homelessness by 2019.

The plan focuses on moving homeless people into permanent housing and giving them support programs to help keep that accommodation, rather than creating more temporary spaces in shelters.

Alberta has set aside $100 million this year to create 700 units for homeless across the province. An additional $32 million is set aside for community-based agencies that work with the homeless.