Calgary’s DOAP team at risk following funding cuts
Posted Oct 2, 2019 7:57 am.
Last Updated Oct 2, 2019 9:09 am.
CALGARY (CityNews) – An outreach team that responds to social disorder and public intoxication calls said its services across the city are at risk.
The Downtown Outreach Addictions Partnership (DOAP) is scrambling for another $20,000 per month after the province cut funding to the Calgary Homeless Foundation in September.
DOAP has been in place since 2005 and helps bring those facing addictions off the street and into the Alpha House for detoxification programs.
READ MORE: Calgary outreach program building connections with most vulnerable
The team expects more cuts could be coming in April, a move that could take its vans off the streets.
“We’ve cut funding in other areas at Alpha House,” said Executive Director Kathy Christensen. “We’re actively fundraising every day to keep the van on the road at least until the end of March.”
Christensen said they are holding a concert fundraiser Dec. 3 in hopes of easing some of the pressure.
The DOAP team primarily receives funding from the Alberta government but also support from the City of Calgary. However, Mayor Naheed Nenshi said they aren’t willing to shell out more money.
“People who live in the Beltline, live in other neighbourhoods, this is a service that you absolutely must-have. But it’s also a service that is a provincial responsibility and the City of Calgary also vastly over contributes.”
DOAP and Alpha House is hoping the provincial budget on Oct. 24 will restore lost funding to reach all parts of the city.
