Tri-City housing advocates are hoping homeless numbers are stabilizing.
But they're worried about what they may find in the annual count in March.
And they need your help.
The concern is that there are more people living in the bush or in precarious situations than in previous years because there haven’t been any new shelters built in the region since the Gordon Avenue shelter opened in Coquitlam in 2015.
And while temporary shelters are in place, finding stable housing for people with mental health and addictions issues remains a challenge.
“We would love to see the numbers go down [but] the reality is between 2014 and 2017, the numbers in the Tri-Cities doubled,” said Polly Krier, coordinator of the Tri-Cities Homelessness and Housing Task Group. “To have it go down would be spectacular. The reality is we probably should be happy if it’s still level as there is nothing that has changed in the Tr-Cities, no additional places to place people.”
Still, Krier said she is looking forward to the 24-hour head count taking place March 3 to 4 as part of the 2020 Homeless Count in Metro Vancouver. She said she hopes the count, which includes a questionnaire, will shed more light on why people are homeless, what supports they are using and what services are still needed.
As many as 50 volunteers are needed for the project, with most participants working a two hour shift, working in pairs to enumerate those using local shelters or camping in the bush.
“It’s a gauge to see if what we’re doing is working and, as our role as the task group is to work with all stakeholders to make a difference in the lives of homeless, the [information] is often what helps us determine our goal and mandate in the coming years.”
Currently, finding land for modular housing is the group’s top priority and Krier said it is working with various agencies, including BC Housing, to find a way to provide more shelter space that also provides supports for people.
As well, housing and homeless advocates would also like to see a warming centre opened where people can go during the day.
To sign up to volunteer or for more information about the count, visit: https://www.vancitycommunityfoundation.ca/initiatives/2020-homeless-count
Typically, volunteers have participated in previous counts, or have experience working with people who are homeless or in related fields. Experienced volunteers are paired with people who are new to the count.
