New Point-in-Time Count underway in region to record number of people experiencing homelessness

Outreach workers are hitting the streets this week trying to conduct a new Point-in-Time (PiT) Count for the region.

The last one was released in 2021 and reported a total of 1,085 people experiencing some type of homelessness. That number could increase for the 2024 survey.

It’s part of a nationally coordinated effort to collect data on the number of people experiencing homelessness. The data will be utilized by upper levels of government to decide on funding allocations and for the province to determine different priority areas. It will also be used by municipalities to create better supports.

“We have folks out in the community today, connecting with folks who might be experiencing homelessness to get a better understanding of what our community looks like, how many people are experiencing it and what those experiences are like,” said Jennifer Gordon, manager of advocacy and research, YWCA Cambridge on The Mike Farwell Show Oct. 22.

Gordon said women were underrepresented in the last PiT Count and they have little data on the numbers around hidden homelessness. This year they are aiming to put a focus on women, ensuring they are counted.

“Women are often missing in Point-in-Time Counts at a rapid rate and that’s because women are often hidden homelessness, the idea they are less connected to formal supports and services, you don’t necessarily see them if you were walking the streets,” said Gordon.

Outreach workers will be inside shelters, transitional housing, unsheltered sites and encampments conducting the survey.

YWCA Cambridge is using social media and word of mouth to get people who may not be in those locations counted for.

“We have sort of a multi pronged strategy, first and foremost we are partnered in with the Coalition of Muslim Women on this initiative. They are also in a similar position where many of the women that they support who are experiencing homelessness or deep poverty and on the brink of homelessness are also hidden,” said Gordon.

“The Point-in-Time Count is a great tool to say ‘so here they are, how do we plan’ as opposed to trying to figure out what the story line is and how to compensate for data that misses women.”

Gordon mentioned her ultimate goal is to use the data as a tool to make change to advance the region towards the goal of zero people experiencing chronic homelessness by 2030.

Out reach workers will be in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and surrounding areas to conduct a PIT Count from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. October 21-23, 2024.