City seeks volunteers to measure homelessness in Hamilton
HAMILTON, ON – The City of Hamilton is seeking approximately 200 volunteers to participate in the 2018 Point-In-Time Connection event on April 22nd and 23rd, 2018. In partnership with Hamilton’s Urban Indigenous community, the City will be one of more than 60 communities across Canada conducting surveys to better understand the needs of people experiencing homelessness.
Information gathered from the Point in Time Connection will be used to match people experiencing homelessness with the right types of housing services and supports – ensuring those with the highest need are prioritized for accessing those resources. The information gathered will also help to inform local homelessness policy and practices.
The City of Hamilton’s Point in Time Connection is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy. This initiative will contribute to the understanding of homelessness both provincially and nationally.
“The 2018 Point in Time Connection will help us understand and respond to the current health, social and housing needs of people experiencing homelessness in our community, while at the same time let us know how the city is moving the dial on ending homelessness in Hamilton.” - Mayor Fred Eisenberger
Training will be provided to volunteers in order to survey individuals experiencing homelessness throughout the City of Hamilton, which includes those staying in shelters, temporary housing and sleeping rough (without shelter). Each survey team will include volunteers from the Indigenous community. In addition, the Urban Indigenous community will host a magnet event where Indigenous volunteers will be available to complete surveys with community members who identify as Indigenous.
Overall survey results from the 2018 Point in Time Connection will be shared publically with the community during a Community Debrief on May 4, 2018.
The deadline to register as a volunteer is Thursday, March 1. The volunteer application form is available online by visiting https://www.hamilton.ca/point-in-time-connection.
Quick Facts
- The 2018 Point-in-Time Connection builds on Hamilton’s contribution to the 20,000 Homes Campaign, a national change movement focused on ending chronic homelessness in 20 communities and housing 20,000 of Canada’s most vulnerable homeless people by July 1, 2020. https://www.hamilton.ca/social-services/housing/20000-homes-campaign