Bruce County is unveiling the results of its homelessness enumeration study.
The county says their Human Services department, along with Grey County and community partners conducted the study on Oct. 18, 2021 as part of the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing mandate.
The review allowed the county to snapshot the number of people experiencing homelessness in the area, while also collecting demographic information using a standard set of questions.
Following speaking to 64 people experiencing homelessness, the results included:
-33 per cent of respondents were staying in a municipally funded motel the night of the count
-34 per cent of respondents reported staying with friends and family or a self-funded motel
-52 per cent of respondents are chronically homeless, homeless for 180 cumulative nights a year
-19 per cent of respondents were under the age of 25
-47 per cent of respondents were under the age of 35
-20 per cent of respondents were identified as Indigenous
-49 per cent of respondents were identified as having a medical illness or condition
-38 per cent of respondents were identified as having a physical limitation
-39 per cent of respondents were identified has having a learning or cognitive limitation
-67 per cent of respondents were identified as having a mental health concern
-21 per cent of respondents were identified as having a substance misuse or use concern
Later on Jan. 13, Bruce County’s Human Services Committee had received the report and approved a local rule for housing priority to offer one in every 10 units to individuals or families from the Bruce County “By-Name List.”
County Interim CAO and Director of Human Services Christine MacDonald says the homelessness enumeration is a means to garner information about the number of people who are homeless.
“This information will help Bruce County build a strong housing response system for vulnerable residents. Thank you to volunteers and community organizations that assisted in the enumeration,” says MacDonald.
County Warden Janice Jackson adds, “Bruce County is committed to planning, delivering, and advocating for responsive services that help individuals and families enhance their level of participation and quality of life in our communities.”