Volunteers will be taking to communities across Greater Victoria next month as part of a collaborative effort to count how many people are currently experiencing homelessness in the capital region.
The Community Social Planning Council (CSPC) B次元官网网址� along with support from the Capital Regional District (CRD), the Alliance to End Homelessness in the Capital Region and the Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness B次元官网网址� will be leading its bi-annual Point in Time (PiT) Homelessness Count and Survey for a 24-hour period beginning the night of Tuesday, March 7.
B次元官网网址淗omelessness is a reality for too many Canadians and a challenge for every Canadian community,B次元官网网址� said Ahmed Hussen, federal minister of housing, in a news release. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 crucial that we base our decisions on accurate and sound data.B次元官网网址�
According to Hussen, the Greater Victoria count will help find effective ways to reduce chronic homelessness, make informed decisions and meet the federal governmentB次元官网网址檚 goal of slashing the number of unhoused people in half nationally by 2027 to 2028.
The Government of Canada has invested almost $4 billion over nine years to address homelessness, Hussen said, including $116,800 to fund this yearB次元官网网址檚 count through its community-based program Reaching Home: CanadaB次元官网网址檚 Homelessness Strategy.
B次元官网网址淭he PiT survey provides critical public information on causes and experiences of homelessness in our region,B次元官网网址� Hussen said. B次元官网网址淭he data from the PiT is used to support planing, services and destigmatize homelessness,B次元官网网址� said CSPC executive director Diana Gibson. The CSPC has led the national PiT count since it was first coordinated in 2016.
Trained volunteers will count and survey people staying in Greater Victoria shelters, short-term housing, as well as individuals without shelter, or B次元官网网址渟leeping rough.B次元官网网址� The endeavour, the not-for-profit says, is intended to provide a B次元官网网址渟napshotB次元官网网址� of homelessness in the capital region.
Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto said the count is an important piece of the cityB次元官网网址檚 response to homelessness.
B次元官网网址淚t helps us measure the utility of existing programs, more effectively coordinate resources in our community, and inform how we provide services to unhoused Victorians,B次元官网网址� said Alto.
The last PiT conducted in 2020 found that at least 1,523 people were experiencing homelessness in the Greater Victoria.
Anyone interested in PiT volunteer positions can sign up , or contact Volunteer Victoria at 250-386-2269.
ALSO READ:
Do you have a story tip? Email: austin.westphal@saanichnews.com.
Follow us on and and like us on
