P.E.I. cities to participate in study

Charlottetown and Summerside are taking part in a co-ordinated effort to measure homelessness across Canada.

In April, the John Howard Society, as the P.E.I. Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) Community Entity through the Community Advisory Board on Homelessness, and volunteers from the community will conduct the second ever Point-in-Time (PiT) Homeless Count. P.E.I.’s first count was done in 2016.

Over a period of 24 hours, trained volunteers will count and survey individuals who are staying in shelters, short-term housing and sleeping rough (without shelter).

The PiT count will provide a snapshot of homelessness in the two cities and indicate the minimum number of people experiencing homelessness in the community.

Other forms of homelessness, such as people staying temporarily with friends, are not typically included in a PiT count.

However, the P.E.I. count aims to include the hidden homeless and those currently served through systems, such as correctional facilities, addictions and hospitals.

“Our PiT count will serve to improve our understanding of the needs and circumstances of the people who are affected by homelessness or at risk in our community,’’ said Wendi James Poirier, HPS co-ordinator for P.E.I.

“The survey will provide us with key data on gender, age, ethnicity, veteran status and more.’’

Results from the PiT count will be made public in summary and will be used to improve response to homelessness. In the future, successive counts will allow PiT to measure progress towards the ultimate goal – ending homelessness for Prince Edward Islanders.