A ‘snapshot’ of life on the street
Biennial count provides picture of homelessness in the city
When Gloria Bone’s grandchildren came to visit recently, they found out where she sleeps: wrapped in blankets outside a downtown clinic.
“Kokum, that’s where you sleep?” they asked.
“I felt bad and hurt. I didn’t want to let them know,” she said.
Bone, 56, is used to sleeping outside. Known as Mama Bone on the streets, she’s been homeless for more than 30 years, since her parents died.
Bone was one of the people who agreed to be interviewed Thursday morning by Homeward Trust volunteers outside the Bissell Centre for the biennial Homeless Count, which aims to give a “snapshot” of homelessness in Edmonton.
Between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m., 300 volunteers canvassed the streets conducting a “pointin-time” count. They asked people where they slept the night before, whether they have temporary or permanent residences to return to, their gender and age, whether they have served in the military, how long they’ve been in the city, and if they have children staying with them. Not everyone will be counted: some people decline to answer. Others return to the volunteers asking to be interviewed.
In 2012, the survey counted more than 2,100 homeless people. Nearly 50 per cent of those identified as aboriginal. More than 270 were under the age of 18.
The total number of homeless people in the city decreased 30 per cent from the highest count number in 2008, which was 3,079. But it’s too early to predict this year’s results, said Homeward Trust CEO Susan McGee.
Six other cities in Alberta are also participating in the count, including Red Deer, Medicine Hat and Grande Prairie, providing a comprehensive picture of homelessness across the province.
The report will be released before year’s end.
Whatever the numbers, McGee said the count helps show the scale of the issue and the work that lies ahead.
“There are many factors that affect homelessness,” McGee said. “With in-migration to Edmonton and a low vacancy rate, many are struggling to find and maintain housing, and we are seeing more use of drop-in centres and overnight shelters.”
Gilles Careau, 57, has been homeless for eight years. He said shelters are usually full or he’s barred from staying, so he sleeps outside a school. He came west from Quebec City after his wife kicked him out for drinking too much.
“That’s all I got,” he said, holding up a small black side bag. “I’m a traveller.”
Volunteer Krista Brower hopes the count shows the breadth of the issue and provides people with a real picture of homelessness in the city — that it’s not just “one face” or type of person that can be homeless.
“We talk about these issues a lot, but it’s important to put faces to it and really understand some of the challenges and hear some of their stories, because they’re incredibly resilient,” she said.
For Mama Bone, there’s an end in sight to her nights in the cold.
On Nov. 8, she’s getting the keys to an apartment, a place to call home and to show to her grandchildren.
“I’m happy. I can’t wait. One more month,” she said.