The City of Grande Prairie will soon take part in an effort to measure homelessness across Alberta and Canada as part of the annual “Everyone Counts: Point in Time” count of homelessness.
The count tracks homelessness in numerous forms such as those staying in emergency shelters, short-term housing, and more, to help communities better understand the needs and circumstances of the people affected by homelessness at a local level.
Officials say the findings will be used alongside other information gathered by local partners to address housing and homelessness needs year-round. Results are then used to provide an evidence-based approach to ongoing programming and policy that supports homelessness initiatives.
The city maintains the count is not intended to be a complete measure of everyone who experiences homelessness in a community. As the count is focused on a single day, the count will not include some people cycling in and out of homelessness, or are not utilizing emergency services.
From 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Point in Time Count staff will canvass neighbourhoods throughout the city. Staff will engage everyone they meet, and ask those who are experiencing homelessness to take a brief survey.
The results from Grande Prairie’s PiT Count will be released publicly as soon as the report is completed, slated for early 2025.
