Small Alberta town of Strathmore rallies to help growing homeless population

A community just east of Calgary is rallying together to address the issue of homelessness that has been made worse by the downturn in Alberta's oil and gas industry.

PastorElizabethKarpis heading up an initiative to establish a transitional shelter atthe Harvest Healing Centre Church to provide overnight housingfor men and women in the area who are struggling throughthese tough times.

"People are living in their cars, some are being found (around)the ATM machines trying to keep warm, or against doors,"Karpsaid in an interview withThe CalgaryEyeopener.

• The downturn in data: See the impact on housing, jobs and sales figures
• OPINION |Calgary confronts tough choices for a diversified economy
• Police among Calgary employers swimming in applicants from downturn

"Some have gotten laid off their jobs. They've got families. They have nowhere to go," said Karp, addingshe's seen a significant rise in the number of those people over the past year.

"They're looking for jobs at whereverpumping gas, McDonald'sbut it doesn't meet the rent payments."

A 'fantastic'community, says Karp

The shelterproject is a joint effort by local community leaders and has already won the support of the town council, which donated $40,000 toward the project in December,Karpsaid.

"They definitely see and understand the need."

Over the years,the community has done a good dealto "hide" these people and the problem of homelessness,butthe demand has grown so high that it's no longer possible,Karpsaid.

"If somebody's homeless, they don't necessarily call the authorities;they've been taking them in themselves," she said."

"They find places for them to stay with people temporarily, especially if it's really cold out."

Now that there is a centralized effort, residents are"absolutely thrilled," and have been more than willing to donate their time, moneyand expertise, Karpsaid.

"I'm really impressed by our community. I'm really, really thankful. They've been fantastic," she said.

Still, there's work to be done.

The church won't be able to open the shelter until it installs a new sprinkler and fire alarm system to bring it in line with building regulations that were updated in 2014.

"I'm reallypraying that we can get through the sprinkler system and all that, and do what we need to do."