By rdnewsNOW staff

Count shows homeless numbers holding steady, more seeking shelter services

Jul 19, 2018 | 4:41 PM

Red Deer’s overall homeless population hasn’t dropped much over the past two years, according to the latest Point in Time (PIT) Count.

The number show 144 individuals are currently experiencing homelessness in our city compared to 149 in 2016.

Street homelessness was down nearly half with 19 unsheltered individuals counted in 2018, down from 37 in 2016.

There’s been an increase of 11.7 per cent in the number of people visiting emergency shelters (86 people counted in 2018 up from 77 in 2016). City officials say this increase is positive news as these individuals have connected with a safe place to spend the night, which is a way for people to start on a path to stable housing and access to support services offered in the community.

“We recognize that the paths that lead people into homelessness are varied and complex,” said Tricia Hercina, Acting Social Planning Manager. “The information provided by the PIT count helps us to coordinate appropriate support services, and to find safe, stable housing for those in need.”

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Approximately 25 organizations and 180 community volunteers participated in Red Deer’s 2018 PIT count, which was conducted in April.

City officials say the count was conducted in the spring instead of the fall and adjusted the number of areas covered to align with the provincial initiative led by the 7 Cities on Housing and Homelessness and with the federal government guidelines.

“Our community has a coordinated approach to affordable housing and is working to even further integrate our housing delivery model,” said Mayor Veer. “Local efforts to house individuals are ongoing, and as this Point in Time Count indicates, we are achieving success. We continue to advocate to the Province for shelter capacity and additional affordable housing stock for our most vulnerable citizens.”

This was the fourth time the Point in Time count has been conducted in Red Deer. The count is done every two years as a snapshot in time of homelessness in the city. It is coordinated with communities across Canada and is funded by the Government of Canada’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS). The data collected is used to build an understanding of how the population changes over time and what their needs are so housing programs and support services can be improved.

Other notes from this year’s PIT Count:

– 17% of Red Deer’s homeless population is under the age of 25

– 82% reported using an emergency shelter in the past 12 months

– 1/3 of people experiencing homelessness in April were female

– 4/10 homeless people in Red Deer are Indigenous people (who make up 5.3% of Red Deer’s overall population)

– 7% were identified as an immigrant or refugee

For more information on the Point in Time Count visit www.reddeer.ca/PITcount. To read the annual report on homelessness or for more information visit www.reddeer.ca/homelessness.

(Troy Gillard, with file from City of Red Deer media release)