Point-in Time Count
The District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board (Social Services or DSSAB), in collaboration with the local Homelessness Prevention Team, will participate in Canada’s national effort to measure homelessness through the 2024 Point-in-Time (PiT) Count.
The PiT Count is one of several methods service agencies use to gather valuable data on homelessness.
Volunteers will survey individuals staying in shelters, short-term housing, couch-surfing, hospitalized,
incarcerated, or living unsheltered, providing a snapshot of the homelessness situation in Sault Ste.
Marie.
This data, along with information from DSSAB’s By-Name-List—a real-time database of individuals who have disclosed their experience of homelessness—will equip service providers with a broader understanding of the community’s needs. Together, these insights help agencies better identify and support individuals experiencing homelessness.
“Homelessness is more visible now than ever in our community,” said Louie Bruni, DSSAB Chief Operating Officer. “The Point-In-Time Count will help get a true picture of the homeless population in Sault Ste. Marie so that we can direct our advocacy efforts towards increasing supportive and affordable housing locally.”
The count will take place on Oct. 15, 2024 from 1-9 p.m. A dedicated phone line will also be available for
residents to complete a housing survey Oct. 15–18, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., staffed by compassionate
Homelessness Prevention Team members. Individuals looking to complete the survey via phone can call
705-759-5170.
“It is important that our front-line workers have an accurate depiction of homelessness in Sault Ste. Marie so our team can respond accordingly,” said Taylar Piazza, PiT Count Coordinator. “Our last P-i-T Count took place in 2021, so this will give us the opportunity to update and improve our approaches in order to better serve our clients and our community.”