Forum Post: Income distribution, unemployment, homelessness in Alberta

No, jobs are scarce in Calgary for the working class and unskilled workers. I work in social services (non-profit) and I've seen many families and young people relocate to Calgary only to find that they can't secure housing, find a job, and end up in homeless shelters or sleeping in the rough. Also, there are many out there who have had their utilities shut off with young children at home or evicted due to rent in arrears. Rent is extremely high as well as food. I've seen a surge of homelessness for single and families alike in the past few months. It is very cold here during mid- winter at -25 to 35 Celsius with the wind chill. Calgary is an oil town but unless you have post-secondary ed (and that's expensive). I paid off $45,000 student debt over period of 12 years at $407.00 a month. I am one of the luckier ones of not having a debt over $60,000. Don't move to here unless you have a specialized trade, higher education,already wealthy, or friends and family who can help you financially and share their home with you.