This fall, Brandon will take part in a coordinated national effort to measure homelessness by gathering data that will also enable local agencies and government to refine their approaches to funding programs and services devoted to unhoused citizens.
The Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation (BNRC) has led Brandon’s participation in the nationally coordinated Point-in-Time Homeless Count (PiT Count) since its inception in 2016. In fact, it’s right here in Brandon that BNRC staff, along with Brandon University researchers, helped develop the original survey questions to increase the depth of information collected during the count.
“An effort of this kind largely depends on volunteers, in this case approximately 70 volunteers from the social and health sectors, as well as from the wider public,” says Michele LeTourneau, PiT Count Coordinator, Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation. “I’ll soon be launching a social media campaign seeking the public’s participation. Those who immediately feel the call to register as a volunteer can go directly to the BNRC webpage, where we have a dedicated link. We all have a part to play when it comes to basic human rights for all.”
On October 17, BNRC will lead its fourth count – Everyone Counts 2024 – coordinating with shelters, other service providers, as well as volunteers from the community, over a period of 24 hours. Our PiT Count will provide a snapshot of homelessness, indicating the minimum number of people experiencing homelessness in our community and helping to improve our understanding of the needs and circumstances of those affected. The survey will provide us with key data on gender, age, ethnicity, veteran status and more. With solid data, funding is more accessible. Counts also allow us to measure progress towards our ultimate goal: ending homelessness in Brandon.
Results from the PiT Count will be made publicly available.
Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett says, “On behalf of Brandon City Council, I am very pleased that the Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation is once again leading Brandon’s participation in the annual Point-in-Time Count. This initiative is a crucial step in addressing homelessness in our community. Homelessness is a growing issue, and Brandon, along with other regional urban areas, is significantly affected. This initiative is not just about numbers; it’s about our neighbors, friends, and family members who need our support. Brandon City Council is committed to working with all levels of government, including Indigenous communities, social and health sectors, and private businesses, to ensure that everyone in our community has a safe and stable place to call home.”
The Brandon PiT Count has received support from Reaching Home, Government of Canada’s Homelessness Strategy (Homelessness, Infrastructure and Communities Canada). Many communities across the country participate and this coordinated effort helps us to create a picture of homelessness in Canada.
