Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. That is why the federal government is committed to ending chronic homelessness across the country.
The government has announced the recent launch of Everyone Counts 2021, a nationally coordinated Point-in-Time (PiT) Count of homelessness conducted in partnership with communities across Canada between March 1 and April 30, 2021.
All communities across Canada are invited to participate.
PiT Counts contribute to developing a picture of homelessness at the community and national levels. They involve counting individuals and families who are staying in shelters, transitional housing, or who are sleeping outside, and include a survey capturing demographic details like age, gender, racial or Indigenous identity, and veteran status. Counts help communities better identify the needs of people experiencing homelessness and better coordinate and deliver local, tailored supports.
“Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home, said Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. “This year, the Point-in-Time Counts will give us insight into how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted homelessness in communities. They will allow us to find solutions that meet the needs and experiences of the homeless population, as we continue our work to end chronic homelessness across the country.”
This year, PiT Counts will capture important data on the COVID-19 pandemic’s impacts on homelessness in Canada. The approach for this year’s PiT Counts has been modified to ensure communities are able to respect public health guidelines and complete their counts safely. Communities have been offered virtual training sessions on how to adapt their methodology to address local challenges and risks. Communities are also encouraged to consult with their local health authorities to develop the safest approach for their area.
Preliminary results of the PiT Counts will be available mid-fall, and a more complete picture is expected in spring 2022. This data will then help inform future Government of Canada policies and programs related to preventing and reducing homelessness.
