Inn from the Cold calls family homelessness a crisis

A Calgary shelter claims to have reached a crisis point with so many families needing help this year.

• Family homelessness out of control in Calgary, agency says

Inn from the Cold executive director Linda McLean said the increasing cost of living — and the lack of affordable housing — mean many families are stuck at the shelter for months, even up to a year.

"Right now the biggest challenge is we're completely bottlenecked, which means that access to housing in order to move out of shelter just doesn't exist. So we're seeing people for very protracted periods."

The shelter has had twice as many people already this year as last year, putting a strain on space and supplies.