Campbell River’s 2021 ‘Point-in-Time’ homeless count is currently underway.
Outreach teams with the local Coalition to End Homelessness (CRDCEH) are hitting the streets to tally the estimated number of people experiencing homelessness around town.
Coordinator Stefanie Hendrickson says the count provides a snapshot of what the homelessness situation looks like in any given 24-hours.
“It’s great numbers for us to have,” she says.
“It’s important information regarding demographics and service needs for people experiencing homelessness so that we can then use that information to help guide programs and service creation, and also advocate for housing friendly policies and bylaws at the municipal, provincial and federal levels.”
However, Hendrickson notes these counts tend to underestimate actual numbers and don’t represent a true total, “just because it’s very difficult to access everybody in a 24-hour period.”
She says it’s been three years since a ‘Point-in-Time’ count was done in Campbell River. At that time, it was estimated that on any given day 81 people were homeless in the community.
Her team is really looking forward to the updated information, especially after the city’s new 50-unit supportive housing facility on Dogwood Street opened up.
“The community has recently seen the opening of both the Rosebowl and Q’waxsem Place, so that’s 70 people who were unsheltered who are now sheltered. We’re really interested to see how that is reflected in our numbers.”
Hendrickson says the count first got underway last night (Thursday) at local shelters. And early this morning, outreach teams paired up to see how many people they could access.
All survey administrators will practice physical distancing and use Personal Protective Equipment, and wherever possible, count activities will take place outside.
According to Hendrickson, people can also reach out to the coalition to submit their information. She says it’s completely anonymous, “so there are no worries about their personal information getting out.”
“We’ll be set up at the Sobering Assessment Centre on Dogwood Street from about 7:30 am till just about after lunch. Then we’ll also meet again at the downtown Community Kitchen from about 4:45 pm till 6:00 pm.”
Keep in mind the ‘Point-in-Time’ count doesn’t just include people sleeping on the streets: “This is also people who stay in tents on someone’s property, or stay with friends. Some people call this ‘couch surfing,’” Hendrickson explains.
This is one of the reasons why it becomes so difficult for her team to get that true number, as “it’s just impossible for us to find everyone.”
“Anyone who is unconventionally housed like that, we want to know so that we can make sure there are services in place as we move forward,” she adds.
