THUNDER BAY -- In an effort to learn more about individuals experiencing homelessness, the Lakehead Social Planning Council will be applying to participate in the next Point in Time Count.
Lakehead Social Planning Council director Marie Klassen said the data collected in last year’s count turned out to be very useful in determining the current state of Thunder Bay’s homeless population.
“When we get into the 2018 project, at least we will already have that baseline data to compare what are the differences in 2018 to what we saw in 2016,” Klassen said.
“I think we are already a little further ahead because we have done it once, so we know what to expect and I think it’s going to be another amazing profile of our homeless population.”
Klassen added that the Point in Time Count allows them to connect the homeless with the resources they need including housing and supports.
She’s had a lot of requests for the data by a number of organizations and for a variety of different reasons.
“I think based on the data we collected in 2016 it will be interesting to see what the changes are if there are any, but I hope that the numbers are fewer and that we are heading in the right direction.”
Klassen is confident the city will be chosen again to participate in the next Point in Time count, but she says she doesn’t know for sure.
There’s still some planning, preparing and getting ready to do before the next round.
She added that she’s excited the federal government recognizes the value of this project.
