Number of homeless in city jumps: survey
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/05/2016 (3641 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Brandon’s homeless population is on the rise according to results from the city’s most recent Point-in-Time Homelessness Count.
This year’s survey, which took place on April 13, found that 146 adult Brandonites were homeless — 28 of whom where unsheltered and 118 were sheltered.
Comparatively, 117 people were determined to be homeless in the inaugural PiT count organized by the Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation in January 2015.
BNRC project co-ordinator Mark Anderson says part of the increase can be attributed to better survey methods.
“We had more volunteers and organizations that participated … This current year that we just did would be a better benchmark to compare against,” Anderson said.
This year, a team of 55 surveyors hit the streets in key areas of the city’s downtown core to collect information from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., while 20 more volunteers were stationed at a survey event at Princess Park.
Anderson points out that the survey is just shows the tip of the iceberg when it comes to local homelessness, however, it does point out some worrisome year-over-year trends.
Of those surveyed this year, 38 per cent were under the age of 30 and last year, that demographic made up 47 per cent of the tally. In addition to the 146 adults, 35 homeless children and dependents were present during this year’s survey.
“We continue to see a large number of younger homeless people in Brandon … we’re nearly twice the national average, so that continues to be a concern,” Anderson said.
Individuals without a shelter to sleep in said they often camp out in a public space, a vehicle, makeshift shelters and abandoned buildings. While a majority said they were unsure where they were going to sleep that night, Anderson says those surveyed early in the morning on the day of the count would likely have a better idea where they were going to sleep had they been interviewed later in the day.
Still, Anderson says residents shouldn’t have to deal with that kind of uncertainty.
“That just shouldn’t have to happen here so we’re quite keen to continue working as a community to alleviate these conditions,” he said, adding that many people living on the streets are in it for the long haul. “The majority of people who are experiencing homelessness find it a condition not a temporary situation.”
The PiT Count data will be used by local social agencies and will help inform the BNRC’s five-year community plan.
Anderson wanted to extend thanks to all the people who helped out with this year’s survey.
“It’s more than collecting stats, I know all of us who are involved are working to reduce the number of homeless and provide opportunities for people, so the work of the volunteers in this project is very important.”
» ewasney@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @evawasney