The results are in from this Spring’s point in time homeless count.
On April 18th 2016 more than 30 volunteers surveyed 205 individuals in shelters and in the streets of Prince George.
“It’s a snapshot, it gives us a bit of an indication of the demographics of people that were either on the streets in or emergency shelters or transitional housing.”said Kerry Pateman, Count Coordinator “It doesn’t give a complete picture, but it kind of gives some general characteristics.”
Pateman said the high number of people who selected family conflict as a reason for their homelessness was a bit of a surprise for them.
Another stat that jump out of the data at Pateman was that 28% of the respondents had moved to Prince George in the past year, “we’ve heard that but we really didn’t have any numbers to back it up”
She added that 41% of respondents had spent time in foster care.
“Another number that isn’t surprising, but does indicate a continuing problem, was 69% of respondents indated they were of aboriginal descent.” said Pateman
131 of respondents are Chronically homeless (homeless for 6 months or more of the past year) while 85 are Episodically homeless (homeless 3 or more times in the past year)
The data will be presented to Community Partners Addressing Homelessness and other agencies fighting homelessness in Prince George, it will also guide further research on the issue.
Pateman pointed to a final statistic, that 90% of respondents are looking for permanent housing, “I know often we hear ‘that’s a choice they make’, well obviously not”
The full report can be found here (download) —> Point in Time Count Report
Infographics via Community Partner Addressing Homelessness
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