Lethbridge 2022 Point-in-Time Count Results

The final results for the Lethbridge 2022 Point-in-Time (PiT) Count indicate at least 454 individuals experiencing homelessness on September 27, 2022.

The PiT Count provides a "snapshot" of homelessness in Lethbridge, and indicates the minimum number of people experiencing homelessness in our community.

"In 2018, the Lethbridge PiT count found 223 individuals experiencing homelessness," says Erin Mason, PiT Count Coordinator for the City of Lethbridge. "The 2022 count has found at least twice as many individuals experiencing homelessness with a large increase in those living rough and not accessing shelter resources. This demonstrates a great need for more affordable and supportive housing and services to support the system of care for vulnerable individuals."

Over the course of six hours, trained staff and volunteers counted and surveyed individuals who were staying in shelters, short-term housing and sleeping rough (without shelter) in Lethbridge. More than 75 volunteers assisted with the count.

Data was collected from local social service organizations and shelters, including:

• Streets Alive Mission
• Alpha House Shelter and Stabilization Centre
• YWCA Lethbridge and District
• Wood's Homes
• Canadian Mental Health Association – Alberta South Region,
• Southern Alberta Self-Help Association (SASHA)
• Blackfoot Family Lodge
• Fresh Start Recovery Centre
• Southern Alcare Manor
• Lethbridge Police Services

Provincial systems data was collected from:

• Alberta Health Services (AHS)
• Justice and Solicitor General's office
• Alberta Community and Social Services (for individuals staying in hotels/motels sponsored by Alberta Works or AISH).

Other forms of homelessness, such as people staying temporarily with friends, are not typically included in a PiT Count.

Of those 454 individuals counted:

• 254 individuals were surveyed or tallied (observed to be homeless) through the unsheltered count (i.e. teams going out across the city). 19 of those individuals indicated they had someplace to stay but it was not permanent.
• 92 individuals were counted in shelter or stabilization beds.
• 108 individuals were counted in transitional housing, treatment centres, Police holding cells, Lethbridge Correctional Centre, or AHS hospital.

Results from the Lethbridge 2022 PiT Count will be used to improve our community's response by identifying service needs and informing plans to prevent and reduce homelessness.

"The results of the PiT Count build on the findings of our Community Wellbeing and Safety Strategy (CWSS) which has highlighted access to affordable and social housing as a top priority for our city. The City of Lethbridge continues to advocate and implement increased supports under the CWSS for those experiencing homelessness in our community," says Takara Motz, Acting General Manager, Community Social Development with the City of Lethbridge.

Lethbridge was one of more than 65 communities that participated in the third nationally coordinated PiT Homeless Count in Canada. The Alberta 7 Cities on Housing and Homelessness coordinated specific elements of the count such as date and time to allow for comparability between the cities on a provincial level.

To view the final report, and for more information on other initiatives Community Social Development is working on, please visit the City's website at lethbridge.ca/csd.