(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

Homelessness revealed

Sobering stats revealed through Point of Time counts in Melfort, Nipawin

Oct 11, 2024 | 6:00 AM

Some startling numbers from the recent Point in Time (PiT) counts in Melfort and Nipawin.

The Marguerite Riel Centre (MRC) in Melfort has released some information on their count on Oct. 1.

The results show 30 people are considered to be facing homelessness in the city.

That includes eight people in a domestic violence shelter, 16 defined as ‘couch surfing’, and six unsheltered, or living on the streets. Eleven other people declined to fill out the survey. Thirty-two people have been homeless at some point in the past year, with the age range of people who filled out the surveys was 19 years old to 55 years old.

Director of Operations Joanne Yakowec told northeastNOW the number of people living on the streets may be higher than the numbers from the PiT count indicated.

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“We know that there’s a few that come into the centre now and then that are homeless that we didn’t find during the count that day,” explains Yakowec. She said the overall numbers were a little higher than they had anticipated.

The MRC will send the information to their funders, who forward it to the federal government. Yakowec said the hope is that the numbers help to identify some of the populations that are homeless, help to better understand the ways into homelessness, and help strengthen prevention services in those areas.

“They can also help us collaborate with other agencies in the community so that we can…target the areas that are most needed and be able to work together,” Yakowec said.

The results can also be used to help find funding for programs in the community, and whether there are needs for shelters or warm-up sites in the winter.

Yakowec said they are seeing an increase in homelessness in rural communities, including some people who arrive from larger cities.

“I think some people don’t realize we have it in our community because it’s not a stereotypical stuff that we see on TV with large tent encampments,” said Yakowec. “We tend to have what’s commonly called hidden homeless or couch surfing.”

Despite the hidden homeless being more common in rural areas, Yakowec said there are still people who are living on the street. Yakowec thanked all volunteers who helped with the PiT count and the community as a whole.

“We need to work together as a community so that we can help provide services for those that are homeless or in need. Their lives are important as well.”

The Nipawin Oasis Community Centre held its PiT count on the same day.

According to Executive Director Joy Hanson, 84 people were identified as couch surfing.

“We also had 41 children in addition that are couch surfing,” Hanson said in an email to northeastNOW.

Their PiT count revealed that 15 people were either on the street or living in a camper, tent, or vehicle.

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @northeastNOW_SK