On June 1 and 2, York Region will partner with the United Way of Greater Toronto to carry out this year’s homelessness enumeration point-in-time count.
“In light of the pandemic, the 2021 point-in-time count will be a scaled down version of previous enumeration activities and will be conducted in accordance with public health guidelines,” notes Katherine Chislett, commissioner of community and health services, in her report to regional council presented on Thursday.
From April 17 to 20, 2018, the region, community partners, agencies and citizen volunteers participated in the first region-led homeless count, I Count, the second homeless count ever in York Region. The count found that 389 people were homeless in York Region on those dates, and 224 individuals completed a survey. There was no further specific location-based data collected as part of the 2018 enumeration.
As part of the 2018 count, trained staff and volunteers visited 44 outdoor locations and 47 indoor locations across the region where individuals who are experiencing homelessness were known to frequent.
In 2018, the top five causes of homelessness in York Region were family conflict (25%), job loss (16%) illness or medical condition, hospitalization or treatment program (15%), unable to pay rent/mortgage (14%) and addiction, substance use, mental health or domestic abuse (13%).
Over half of respondents (56 per cent or 125) identified as male, 42 per cent (95) identified as female, and two per cent (less than five individuals) identified as gender queer/gender non-conforming/don’t know, or declined to answer.
About one in five respondents were youth.
Findings from the counts inform service delivery, help target investments to prevent and mitigate homelessness and shed light on the needs and barriers facing residents experiencing homelessness. In 2018, data was shared with community partners and agencies to support a coordinated approach to service delivery across the region.
The 2018 count also informed the development of the region’s first by-name list, which will continue to be maintained and adjusted, as needed, to meet the new provincial requirements.
The 2021 count will be funded through phase three funding received by York Region from the provincial Social Services Relief Fund.
