Affordable Housing is an issue affecting Calgarians as demand for housing combined with high interest rates and lack of regulations on landlord prices mean rents have skyrocketed and appropriate housing is often hard to find for families, seniors, students and those with disabilities. The Alliance was a key part of Calgary passing an Affordable Housing strategy (Home is here) in 2023, and we will continue to keep council accountable for funding and implementing this strategy that will enable more affordable housing to be built. 

Good Jobs was chosen as a campaign at the Discernment Assembly on September 16, 2024 by a majority of members. This issue surfaced through a listening campaign that heard from hundreds of people about the pressing concerns in their life. Work should be dignifying, but for too many in our community, they experience barriers to good jobs. Nuances of the issue include low wages, lack of opportunities to get into the workforce, challenges with credential recognition, labour exploitation, unfair work practices, unsafe work conditions, and lack of knowledge of workers rights.

At this point we have convened a Research Action Team that meets monthly and will choose which specific sub-issues to advance. 

Mental Health & Addictions was chosen as a campaign focus for the Alliance on September 16, 2024. This was based on the listening campaign where we heard from hundreds of Calgarians about the most pressing issues in our city. Nuances of this issue include access to mental health supports, culturally appropriate care/interventions, the intersection of domestic violence and mental health, how mental health is handled in workplaces, support for people battling addictions (harm reduction practices), trauma-informed mental health supports, and the specific needs of youth and seniors. 

At this stage we have convened a Research Action Team which meets monthly and will determine what specific issues we can advance. 

Work on Environment/Climate change issues is being conducted by two of our outstanding member organizations: Calgary Climate Hub, and the Alberta Environmental Network. Individuals interested in taking action on issues of environment/climate change are invited to connect with these organizations to get involved in the very good work already underway.