On Wednesday, November 20, United Way Peterborough & District will lead the annual Point-in-Time (PiT) Count across the City and County of Peterborough. The initiative, part of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada’s Homelessness Policy Directorate, provides a snapshot of homelessness to help shape strategies, funding, and programs aimed at reducing homelessness and improving access to safe housing.
As the local Community Entity for Reaching Home, United Way Peterborough coordinates the event.
This year, the count will differ from 2024. Rather than interviewing individuals experiencing homelessness, volunteers and outreach workers will conduct a visual enumeration of unsheltered areas and encampments to better understand homelessness in the region.
Jim Russell, CEO of United Way Peterborough & District, said:
“No one chooses to be homeless. The Point-in-Time Count is a vital tool to help us understand the realities of homelessness and ensure resources make the greatest impact.”
The data collected will guide funding priorities for homelessness prevention, housing placements, and other housing supports. The information will also inform United Way Peterborough’s next Reaching Home funding applications, expected in December.
While no count can capture every individual, and some duplication or omissions may occur, the PiT methodology aims to produce the most accurate estimate possible. This approach aligns with best practices set out by the Government of Canada’s Homelessness Policy Directorate, covering those in shelters and living unsheltered.
