Homeless Count 2008 was organized by Homeward Trust Edmonton and the Homeless Count Committee
The eighth Homeless Count took place on October 21st 2008 in key locations in Edmonton
The Count is undertaken bi-annually, and the results of the 2008 count will be known in November
Over 220 volunteers were recruited and took to the streets to ask some simple but pertinent questions regarding housing and homelessness
Volunteers attended a 2-hour orientation, to familiarize themselves with street-safety, the questionnaire, site locations
180 Agencies dealing with the homeless population were are also involved in the 17 hour count
Hospitals, jails and institutions releasing people were asked to interview people to ascertain their housing status
In 2006 there were 2618 homeless people in Edmonton, an increase of nearly 20% on the 2004 figures. Of these, a quarter were women and 151 were children
The information collected will be used to develop and inform housing strategies and polices at local and provincial level
The Count relies on in-kind donations and volunteers to keep the costs low. and ensure that the count is community activity. Our thanks go to: Second Cup, Tim Hortons, Subway, Bee Bell Bakery, Corporate Express, Wild Earth Bakery, RBC Royal Mutual Funds, CMHC and the City of Edmonton for their wonderful support of this Homeless Count.
DYNACOR MEDIA