Preliminary Melfort Point in Time survey results indicate growing homelessness issue

Yakowec said the surveys show that the homeless or unhoused spent the previous evening couch surfing, in the bush, on the street or bench, in a tent, in transitional or sheltered housing, or in an abandoned building.

A variety of reasons were given as to why they were on the street. They include leaving a larger city for a safer place, being evicted and unable to find affordable housing, having no income, violence – including domestic violence, coming to visit and being stuck in Melfort, addictions, and leaving an unsafe home life, among others.

“We also asked two questions not on the count,” Yakowec explained. “They were: ‘what services and/or programs do you see as needed in the Melfort community’, and ‘what do you feel is needed – by yourself or those unhoused in the community.’”

While Yakowec has yet to finish going through those results, the top answers thus far include a shelter, a place to shower and use washrooms, help with addictions, and a warm home.

“Information will be compiled and made public in the next week or so, and the funders for the count – Provincial Metis Housing Corp. – will compile the stats that will be included in a book along with stats from the rest of the province, and we will post that info once it is available.”

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

by Cam Lee

Preliminary Melfort Point in Time survey results indicate growing homelessness issue

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