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United Way KFL&A leads local 2021 Point in Time Homeless Count
Counts are a community-level measure of sheltered and unsheltered homelessness, helping to provide a national picture of homelessness

Kingston, ON (April 14, 2021) United Way is responsible for coordinating and conducting the Point in Time (PIT) Count in Kingston. Working with the City of Kingston and agency partners, our community has conducted 3 PIT Counts since 2013.

Funded in part by the federal government’s Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy, a PIT Count helps determine the extent of homelessness in a community on a given night, or at a single point in time. It provides a “snapshot” of the characteristics of a community’s homeless population, to better understand the nature and extent of homelessness to support planning and program delivery to address the issue. When done on more than one occasion, a PIT Count allows communities to assess their progress in reducing homelessness over time.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 PIT Count was not able to happen and will instead take place on April 14, 2021 at 7pm. The bi-annual process typically involves training and deploying volunteers out onto the streets, who conduct face to face surveys with individuals experiencing homelessness.  However, because of COVID-19, this year’s count will be entirely conducted by agencies with no additional street surveys. Staff will ensure a safe enumeration and survey process within shelters, drop-in centres, institutions and transitional housing programs, following all current health and safety protocols.

“Despite the challenges involved in conducting a PIT Count during a pandemic, it is crucial to understand how homelessness has changed since the last count and how it has been affected by the pandemic,” said Bhavana Varma, President and CEO, United Way KFL&A. “We really appreciate the efforts of our local agencies, healthcare partners and local institutions assisting in this count. The results will help better identify trends and inform planning and policy decisions among various organizations and governments going forward.”

For more information on the Point in Time Count visit https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/homelessness/resources/point-in-time.html and for the results of previous Point in Time counts in Kingston visit https://www.unitedwaykfla.ca/reports/

Note: Data collected from the PIT Count is in addition to the information that the City of Kingston collects through the By Name List https://www.cityofkingston.ca/-/quality-of-city-s-by-name-list-of-homeless-people-recognized-by-built-for-zero-canada

About United Way of KFL&A
United Way works with individuals, organizations and key partners in KFL&A to build and strengthen the community bringing people and resources together to facilitate change. Our vision is a future where people are self-sufficient in a community where individuals live with hope, dignity and a sense of belonging. Visit www.unitedwaykfla.ca for more information.

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Media Contact:
Mandy Pasch, Manager, Marketing and Communications
United Way KFL&A
613-876-3088, marketing@unitedwaykfla.ca

 

 

Plan to End Youth Homelessness

On any given night, more than 6,000 Canadian youth are homeless.Young people account for one in five of the people living in Canada’s homeless shelters. In 2013, this number was even higher in Kingston at one in three. In five years, that figure returned to the national average in Kingston, thanks to a collective effort by the community.

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"My wife and I have always donated to the United Way KFL&A because we know the donated funds are used in our community. In my retirement, I have become more aware of the people in need in our community. I encourage you to support these vital programs by volunteering and by making a donation. Through the United Way you make a difference in the lives of so many."
Jim Parker
"With our United Way funding, we go right to the grocery store or a local supplier and purchase the food that helps a student take advantage of everything school has to offer. You can be confident that your donation to the United Way stays here, in KFL&A and supports students in our community"
Brenda MooreFood Sharing Project
“United Way came in and adopted us and things changed dramatically, we didn’t have people waiting on the step for a bed in the winter. They stay as long as they need to and we help them get into transitional housing. We provide them with structure and help them. Because of United Way we get to help raise these children and I feel honoured and so proud to know them.”
Denise LambKingston Youth Shelter
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United Way of KFL&A would like to acknowledge this traditional territory’s longer existence and its significance for the Indigenous people who lived and continue to live on Turtle Island.

We are situated on traditional Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Huron-Wendat land. There are Métis and other non-status First People from many Indigenous Nations present in our community today. This acknowledgement symbolizes the United Way KFL&A’s first step, of many, along this path toward Indigenous reconciliation, in a respectful manner.

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