2021 PiT Count Summary

Point-in-Time Count, 2021
John Howard Society PEI
Reaching Home
In April, Charlottetown & Summerside took part in a nationally coordinated effort, led by the
Government of Canada’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy, to measure homelessness in Canada.
The third PiT count was scheduled to take place in 2020 but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was
postponed. Some communities have opted to postpone until the fall of 2021, some into 2022
depending on the situation in their region. In the interest of protecting everyone’s health and safety
during the ongoing COVID pandemic, we did not engage community volunteers. Instead, staff
from the John Howard Society of PEI conducted the street surveys and staff from various
departments, agencies, health institutions and housing programs were asked to do a file review one
day during this week to identify clients housing situation. Shelters were asked to count numbers
on one day during the week and were given surveys for guests to complete, on a voluntary basis.
Unfortunately, the Magnet event could not be held in conjunction with the PiT count this year.
The event provides a connection opportunity for service providers to have attendees to complete
surveys and for the attendees to access service providers offering information and services, for
example income tax preparation, health services such as blood pressure, blood sugar, free hair cuts,
clothing, a hot meal, etc.
The count offers a “snapshot” of homelessness in Prince Edward Island. We did include some
rural housing projects numbers in this year’s count. The results of the count will produce the
minimum number of people experiencing unsheltered and sheltered homelessness in our
community. In addition to a count of absolute homelessness, individuals who were couch-surfing,
staying temporarily with friends or family, were given the option to participate in the survey. The
results will also improve our understanding of the needs and circumstances of the people who are
affected by homelessness in our community. The PIT Count is an essential element in our effort
to end homelessness, as the data gathered shows us so much more than how many people are
homeless in our community – we also learn more about who is homeless and why. The PIT Count
presents a great opportunity to raise awareness of the myriad challenges our homeless citizens face
and hear personal experiences from those experiencing homelessness.
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REACHING HOME, JOHN HOWARD SOCIETY PEI
Results
Number of people identified through street count,

file review and surveys:
Total 147
Surveys completed: 59
• 4 people were identified as being unsheltered.

• A total of 59 people were surveyed, all were presently sheltered in either emergency shelters,
transitional housing, health or correctional institutions.
• Of surveys completed, 57% reported as male (53% in 2018) and 41% as female (47% in
2018), 2% as Two-Spirit.
• 93% of people surveyed fall between the ages of 18-54, (86% in 2018) 2% between 16-18
years of age (7% in 2018) 5% in the 55+ category, (7% in 2018). Of the 93% in the 18-54
age group, 33% were between the ages of 20-29.
• There was a mixed demographic inclusive of people who identified as Indigenous (9%),
immigrant or refugee (1%), veteran (1%).
From the surveys completed and file reviews completed: (147)

• 52 % were staying in transitional housing, (2018- 49%)
• 18% were staying in an emergency shelter, (2018 -15%)
• 13% were staying in systems (hospital, jail, etc.) (2018- 13%)
• 17% were considered hidden homeless (people staying with a friend, couch surfing, etc. (2018
23%)
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Homelessness is an ongoing problem in PEI and is not typically resolved in the short term.
52% of participants experiencing homelessness indicated they have been homeless for more
than 3 months total. This number was 59% in 2018. Further statistics showed that 32%
indicated being homeless for a total of 6+ months.
30 out of the 59 individuals who completed the surveys had stayed in an emergency shelter in
the past year.
Factors that led to homelessness
• 52 % of participants that completed surveys indicated issues with addictions and mental health
• 19 % experienced domestic violence
• 17 % indicated landlord/ tenant issues
• 9% had been incarcerated
• 3 % indicated lack of income/ not suitable housing
Question new to the survey: “Was your most recent housing loss related to the Covid – 19
pandemic?” 8 % responded YES (no follow up question attached to this)
Successive counts will allow us to measure progress towards our goal of ending chronic
homelessness in Prince Edward Island. As of April 1, 2023, we will have implemented
Coordinated Access and HIFIS, (Homeless Individuals and Families Information System) which
will give us real time, quantifiable data, and a more comprehensive, systems-based approach, to
addressing homelessness. The process will help to streamline the steps individuals or families
need to take to access community resources on the path to stable housing.
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2021 PiT Count Summary

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2021 PiT Count Summary

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Point-in-Time Count, 2021

John Howard Society PEI

Number of people identified through street count,

• 4 people were identified as being unsheltered.

From the surveys completed and file reviews completed: (147)

Factors that led to homelessness

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