Kingston, ON (April 4, 2016) On Wednesday, April 6th, 80 volunteers will take to the streets between 7pm and 11pm to conduct a Point in Time count.
Kingston is one of 30 communities participating in the first ever nationally coordinated Point in Time (PiT) Count of homeless individuals. A PiT Count is a census of people who are homeless at the time of the Count, and includes asking individuals to complete a brief, anonymous survey.
The first city-wide PiT Count was held in October 2013 by the City of Kingston, in partnership with the United Way. This year, United Way is coordinating the PiT Count, in partnership with the Government of Canada, the City of Kingston and service providers.
“I’d like to extend a special thank you to volunteers, agency staff and emergency services. This data will help all of us better understand the issue and the needs of people who are homeless in Kingston”, says Bhavana Varma, President & CEO, United Way KFLA. “This information will inform community strategies and contribute to the long term goal to end homelessness here in Kingston.”
Volunteers will assemble for a mandatory training session at Regiopolis-Notre Dame Secondary School before breaking out in pairs to survey individuals in pre-assigned areas of the city. Kingston Police, shelter staff and other service providers will be on hand to assist. Volunteers will speak with people out that night and will complete a survey of individuals who identify as homeless. The survey is voluntary and anonymous.
The PiT Count will be conducted in three areas:
- Outdoor in-person survey conducted by trained volunteers
- Indoor shelter survey conducted by shelter staff
- Data collected from detox facilities, emergency rooms and other institutions
For more information please visit: https://www.unitedwaykfla.ca/homelessness-pit-count/
About United Way
United Way works with individuals, organizations and partners to build and strengthen our community, bringing people and resources together to facilitate change. Our vision is a future where people are self-sufficient in a community, where people live with hope, dignity and a sense of belonging. Visit www.unitedwaykfla.ca for more information.
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Media Contacts:
Bhavana Varma, President & CEO, United Way KFLA
613-542-2674 ext. 1101, bvarma@unitedwaykfla.ca
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a PiT Count? Why is it being done?
A PiT Count is a method used to measure sheltered and unsheltered homelessness. It aims to enumerate individuals in a community who are, at a given time, staying in shelters or “sleeping rough” (e.g., on the street, in parks), providing a “snapshot” of homelessness in a community.
PiT Counts include a survey that provides communities with information on their homeless population (e.g., age, gender, Veteran status, Aboriginal identity).
Information collected through this process will help our community identify and better understand the needs of homeless people in Kingston, and provide information to assist us in better aligning resources to achieve the long-term goal of ending homelessness in our city.
Where will the PiT Count be held?
United Way KFLA has worked with community agencies, Police, City of Kingston housing staff to identify 21 survey areas within the city of Kingston, where people experiencing homelessness are known to frequent.
The PiT Count will also be conducted in all local shelters and transitional, short-term supportive housing.
In addition, local hospital emergency rooms, the detox centre and police will provide numbers, with no personal information, of individuals discharged with no fixed address (NFA) on the night of April 6th.
Is the PiT Count just for Kingston
The Urban PiT Count will be held on April 6th in Kingston. A different strategy is being used in the County of Frontenac to conduct a modified PiT Count in this rural area.
Is there a central location for the night?
A training session will be provided for all volunteers participating in the outdoor street count, from 5-7pm, at Regiopolis-Notre Dame Secondary School.
Volunteers and police will be provided with a phone number for the PiT Count Headquarters, to check in throughout the evening of April 6th, ask questions or inform United Way of any concerns. Safety of individuals experiencing homelessness and the safety of volunteers is a priority and Kingston Police and emergency services will be available to respond.
What time will the actual PiT Count happen?
From 7-11pm volunteers will walk in groups of two or three people, in 21 designated survey zones to conduct the PiT Count of individuals who identify as having no permanent place to stay.
The process will include administering a brief anonymous survey, with the individual’s consent, to collect information and data about homelessness in our community. Volunteers will return to the PiT Count headquarters by midnight to hand in their results.
Who is conducting the PiT Count?
80 community volunteers will conduct the 2016 Kingston Urban Point in Time Count, coordinated by the United Way, with support from the Government of Canada and the City of Kingston
There has been tremendous volunteer response from staff of local shelters, transitional housing, community agencies and the City’s housing department. These volunteers have experience working with the homeless/marginalized population.
We have also had good response from community volunteers, St. Lawrence College and Queen’s University students.
How is the survey conducted?
Volunteers will be paired in groups of 2 or 3. They will walk in a pre-assigned section of the city and speak with people who are out that night. Volunteers will be easily identifiable as they will be wearing safety vests and will have volunteer badges.
Individuals who identify as homeless will be asked if they wish to participate in a voluntary survey. They will complete a brief, anonymous survey. Volunteers will re-group at the end of the day and submit their surveys. Data from the survey will be entered and the results tallied.
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