CALGARY – Wednesday was a busy night for dozens of volunteers who worked together to capture a snapshot of how many people in Calgary are living without a home.
One hundred volunteers joined representatives from agencies like the Calgary Police Service, Alberta Health Services and non-profit-outreach agencies to take on the unusual task.
The group spent the night surveying the number of Calgary’s homeless who are sleeping outside.
Not only did they conduct a count, they also offered health and outreach services including transportation to a shelter.
In addition, more than 70 facilities including emergency shelters, temporary accommodations, and addictions treatment centres tallied up their homeless clients.
The results are tabulated, and help the Calgary Homeless Foundation get an idea of how many people in Calgary are experiencing homelessness.
The Calgary Homeless Foundation conducts a homeless census once every two years as part of their 10 year plan to end homelessness.
In January 2012, the count suggested there were 3,190 homeless in Calgary, and a second count in August found 3,576 people.
Those numbers were down from in 2008, when the 10-year-plan started.
A full report on the numbers will be released in the spring.
– With files from Cara Fullerton
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