Northumberland County conducting homelessness registry

Northumberland County and community partners are launching a second homelessness registry next month.

Scheduled to run April 16-20, the survey week aims to connect and gather information from individuals and families who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The information will be used to connect people with the right types of housing services and supports.

Lisa Horne, the county’s director of community and social services, says the first survey week held in November 2016 saw residents mobilize to highlight homelessness.

“While registry week does not necessarily result in a complete picture of the extent of homelessness in our community, it does provide vital information about the scale and characteristics of the local homeless population, and how this population changes over time,” she said.

“This data has enormous value in helping our community to make decisions about how best to support the needs of our most vulnerable residents.”

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The 2016 registry identified 58 individuals and 17 families as “experiencing homelessness” in Northumberland County. Efforts were made to assist them and by June 2017, the county’s 2017 Homeless Progress Report indicated 36 individuals and 13 families had been helped to find housing solutions.

Horne says upon entry to the registry, individuals are assigned to a lead agency that can offer the best supports such as the County for Ontario Works payments or Northumberland Hills Hospital for mental health services.

County warden Mark Lovshin says the registry week’s ultimate goal is to end chronic homelessness in the county.

“Committed partner agencies from across the community are continuing to work together, applying proven strategies to ensure that people have safe, affordable housing, and have the opportunity to stay in their community, where they have family, friends, supports and connections,” notes Warden Mark Lovshin.

The county is seeking volunteers to join survey teams. The deadline to sign up is April 8. For more information, visit www.NorthumberlandCounty.ca/20KHomes