Point-in-Time Count & Survey 2024

The purpose of PiT Count is to gather data to help understand factors in homelessness, give a human face to the statistics, and develop and implement effective housing supports, programs, and interventions.

PiT Counts are comprised of two components:

A PiT Count Enumeration. The PiT Count enumeration is the ‘count’ providing an estimate of the number of people experiencing homelessness within a determined geographical area on a single night. It also identifies the type of location (sheltered and unsheltered) where they spent the night.

• It provides a consistent data source to understand changes in communities and across Canada over time.
• The enumeration includes canvassing outdoor areas with teams of volunteers and collecting occupancy data from various sources including shelters, transitional housing, service and systems (health, justice etc.) providers.

A Survey on Homelessness which includes a set of standardized survey questions for year-over-year data comparison to collect information on the characteristics and experiences of people experiencing homelessness. This information helps community organizations, and all orders of government better understand and serve individuals. Participation is voluntary.

The purpose of a PiT count is NOT intended to be: 

An exact number of people experiencing homelessness in a community as:

• Volunteers may not encounter every person experiencing homelessness, especially hidden homelessness (couch surfing, provisionally-accommodated).
• Participation is voluntary.
• A single-night count is not able to measure people who cycle in and out of homelessness as the reality is each day, the number of people experiencing homelessness varies due to inflow into homelessness and outflow into permanent housing

The nationally coordinated PiT count presents an opportunity to create a national picture of homelessness thanks to harmonized methodologies and survey questions across all participating communities.

Mandated as part of federal Reaching Home funding, Homeward Trust, as Edmonton’s designated Community Entity, is responsible for coordinating Edmonton’s Point in Time Count in collaboration with, Red Road Healing Society as the designated Indigenous Entity, 7 Cities and sector partners and in accordance with the core standards outlined by the Reaching Home program.

With consistent data points and methodology, the count enables year-over-year comparison for better system planning and knowledge. The information collected is a valuable tool for identifying the pathways to homelessness. It helps advocate for essential resources, increase awareness, and build collaboration within the homelessness-serving sector and across other sectors, such as health and corrections.

• to share information about the state of homelessness and build awareness about the ongoing and complex work being done to prevent and end homelessness and;
• for community engagement by engaging volunteers to assist with the count, and who, through talking and listening to people experiencing homelessness gain an understanding of the many faces and individuals experiencing homelessness.

Beyond 2024, as part of our Reaching Home directive, the PiT count enumeration will take place every year, and the survey will occur once every three years.

Volunteers, who are 18+, will be asked to walk through a specific area of the city, identify individuals who may be experiencing homelessness, and conduct a short survey designed to gather basic housing information from people with whom they connect with.

As such volunteers should be able to: 

• Comfortably walk outdoors for a distance of multiple city blocks (exact distance will vary based on assigned areas) 

• Be able to carry a backpack with supplies and engagement gifts for participants  

• Stand for long periods of time 

• Feel comfortable conversing with many individuals in a short period of time 

• Have a mobile device with access to a data network (noting that volunteers will be eligible for compensation for costs of mobile data used for the PiT count)  

Not required but would be an asset: 

• Previous de-escalation training 

• Previous Trauma informed care training 

• First Aid training 

Safety Considerations

While we don’t anticipate volunteers being in unsafe situations, we recognize the need to maintain strict safety protocols to ensure all volunteers have an enjoyable experience.

Below are procedures we have in place to ensure your safety.

Base Sites

We have designated base sites for all the walking routes to ensure that every volunteer has a safe, warm and secure place from which to start and end their shifts and drop in for breaks as needed throughout their time completing the PiT Count. To ensure your safety:

• It is mandatory for you to check in at the base site at the start of your shift and check out when you are finished.
• If you must leave your shift early, please ensure you check out at the base site, or else we will consider you missing and escalate the issue.
• There is a base site coordinator at each base site. Please take the Base Site Coordinator’s number with you so you can call in case of any issue.
• During your shift, the Base Site coordinator may periodically check on your team. Feel free to share with them if things are going well or if you need any support.
• If you are feeling too cold, please come back to your base sites to warm up and have a snack.

Working in Teams

Working in teams is a vital component of the count. Volunteers will be assigned in teams of minimally two people, and multiple teams will be assigned to neighborhoods so that the PiT count is a visible effort in the community.

Volunteers counting on the street or surveying in the shelter should never find themselves alone, so please make sure you are always within eyesight of your team.

Visibility

You will receive a reflective vest to increase your visibility to vehicle drivers, as well as to make you easily identifiable to people you approach during the count. Please ensure your vest is always worn.

Personal Safety while Conducting a Survey

Your personal safety during your shift is the priority. If at any point during a survey you do not feel safe, you are not required to finish the survey. End the survey and leave safely. If the situation you are in is dangerous or an emergency, call 911. For non-emergency situations, call your base site coordinator about the incident.

Emergency Situations – CALL 911

If you, your partner or the person you are conducting a survey with are in a life-threatening situation, or you encounter a medical emergency or criminal activity, CALL 911. After calling 911, call or text to notify your base site coordinator.

Non-Emergency Situations

For any other situations you encounter, if you feel the need to debrief, or if you are not feeling safe, call your base site coordinator. Please feel free to go back to the base site to debrief or if you need a safe space.

The event runs in all weather. Please dress for the weather and your personal comfort.