City seeking volunteers for homeless census

The city of Hamilton is looking for 200 volunteers to be involved in this year's effort to measure the scope of local homelessness.

The effort is called a "point-in-time" count and follows a similar count done in 2016. It's all part of a nationwide effort to identify and house 20,000 of the most vulnerable homeless people in the country by July 2020.

Teams of volunteers will survey people who are staying in shelters, temporary housing and "sleeping rough" – outside or without formal shelter. The count will happen April 22 and 23.

The idea is to match people who are homeless with housing and supports that are right for them, prioritizing those with highest need.

More than 325 people have found places to live since spring 2016 under a city anti-homelessness approach called "housing first." Most of them — 80 per cent — are still in their housing 12 months later, according to the city.

"Housing first" relies on the premise that people are better able to address other life challenges once they have a stable place to sleep each night.

About 500 people were surveyed in that 2016 count, and more than one-third of them were found to face chronic health conditions.

Every survey team will include volunteers who are Indigenous, the city said. Plus, the city's Indigenous community will again host an event where other community members who are Indigenous can come and complete a survey.

The city will release the findings of the surveys on May 4.

Interested volunteers can register online or find more information on the city's website.