Ukrainian refugees are forced to sleep on the streets or at the airport in Calgary due to a lack of housing in the largest cities of Alberta, according to specialized agencies that also say they lack funding to meet the demand.

The "Centre for Newcomers" in Calgary has recorded an increase in the number of newcomers seeking help to find housing from 400 cases to 2400 cases over the past five years.

“The idea that the housing shortage is only a problem in Toronto or Vancouver is wrong in my opinion,” said Kelly Ernst, the program director at the "Centre for Newcomers." “Calgary is not isolated from this issue. Our city is struggling to house newcomers.”

It is noted that Ukrainians who have come to Alberta fleeing the Russian military invasion of their country are eligible for social housing assistance and rental aid from the province, but they face waiting lists and a shortage of available housing.

It is also added that it is difficult for them, as newcomers, to provide references or show a clean credit history in Canada.

Residential rents in Calgary have risen at a faster pace than in many other large cities in Canada.

The rental rate for an apartment with one or two bedrooms has increased by 17% compared to its level a year ago, according to the rentals.ca website for available rental housing.

Furthermore, affordable housing has become scarce. The waiting list for the "Calgary Housing Company" includes 5,300 families, which is an increase of 300 families from the number at the beginning of the year.

The City of Calgary estimates that 80,000 of its residents cannot afford housing costs.