Homeless Enumeration

Muskoka’s Third Homeless Enumeration

This fall, Housing Infrastructure, and Communities Canada is inviting communities to take part in a national effort to get a more comprehensive picture of homelessness across the country.

The goal of the Muskoka Homeless Enumeration is to enhance understanding of homelessness and to ensure that the information gathered informs strategic planning and service delivery.

Muskoka’s third Homeless Enumeration is set to occur as a Point in Time (PIT) Count and includes counting people who are homeless based on a specific night. This will provide a snapshot of homelessness within Muskoka. The Enumeration Project Team has determined November 20, 2024 as the PIT date, with surveys scheduled to take place from November 20 through November 22, 2024.

Client consent is a priority and is required for participation in the community homelessness survey.

The Community Homelessness Survey was live between November 20 and 22, 2024 and has now closed.

Click the image below to view or download the 2024 Community Homeless Survey Poster

What is a Homeless Enumeration or PIT?

A Homeless Enumeration is a count of the number of people who are experiencing homelessness
PIT stands for Point in Time – counting / enumerating the number of people who are experiencing homeless based on a specific night

Who should complete the Community Homelessness Survey?

People experiencing homelessness are invited to complete the survey with a District staff member or a staff member of another community agency.

What is the definition of Homelessness for Enumeration?

A situation in which an individual or family is without stable, permanent housing, or the immediate prospect, means and ability of acquiring it. People may be defined as experiencing homelessness if they are:

Unsheltered, or staying in a makeshift shelter or structure not meant for habitation;
Emergency sheltered, or staying an in emergency shelter; or
Provisionally accommodated, or staying in a provisional accommodation that is temporary or lacks security of tenure such as with friends/acquaintances or family (i.e., couch surfing) or staying in a correctional institution, hospital, or residential treatment, without having a home to go to when discharged

When will Muskoka conduct the Third Homeless Enumeration?

Muskoka’s Third Homeless Enumeration is scheduled to take place between November 20 to 22, 2024
The PIT, or single night that the Enumeration will be based on is November 20, 2024

How will the Enumeration be conducted?

Staff from agencies, food banks, meal programs, the District, and any other group that primarily works directly with people experiencing homelessness will be asked to assist in conducting the enumeration surveys between November 20 and 22, 2024.
There will be a process for obtaining client consent as part of the enumeration.

What information will be collected?

Service Managers are required to collect the following information:

Overnight location
Chronicity of homelessness
Age
Reasons for homelessness / housing loss
Indigenous Identity
Racialized Identity
Gender Identity
Sexual Orientation
Family homelessness
Military service
Health – Illness / Medical Condition
Health – Physical Limitation
Health – Learning or Cognitive Limitations
Health – Mental Health Issue
Health – Substance Use Issue
Child Welfare Involvement
Income Source

For more information about the Homeless Enumeration, please contact Homelessness Programs and Services at 705-394-4817 or 705-644-4308.