Alberta conducted its first ever Point-In time count of homelessness and the new numbers show that Calgary accounts for over half of the provincial homeless population.
The count was conducted in Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer, Grand Prairie and The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo in October and found 6,600 people are experiencing homelessness in the province.
The report shows a reduction of about 16 percent since provincial tallies were held in various municipalities in 2008.
In Calgary, over 80 volunteers and 38 organizations were involved in the count and 25 teams hit the streets between 10:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. to canvas and count people.
On the night of the count, the Calgary Homeless Foundation and its volunteers enumerated 3531 people compared to 3533 in January of this year.
The count indicates that Calgary accounts for 54 percent of the homeless population in the province and that puts a greater demand for service on the city.
The city experiences a high in-migration and a lack of affordable housing which also puts significant stress on the social system.
Snapshot of stats on Calgary's Homeless Population based on 3,531 people enumerated:
- 50 percent were in emergency shelter and 36 percent were in a short-term housing facilities
- 5 percent were sleeping rough (in parks, on the street, etc.) and 9 percent were sheltered in a public system (hospital, jail, etc.)
- Of those counted 74 percent were male and 24 percent were female
- 211 families with 329 children were counted
- 364 were youths
- 20% of the population identified as Aboriginal
Officials say the count serves two important functions: it provides a current snapshot of the province’s homeless population and it allows them to examine how the population changes over time.
The data from the count will be tabulated and analyzed and the full report will be released in January.
To view the report click HERE or scroll the document below.
