Participating agencies included women's shelters, men's hostels, hospitals, police, emergency social services, and outreach services. Nineteen organizations, most of which were included in the 1994 survey, again provided data. For the night of May 23, 1996, they were asked to record the total number of clients using their facilities, the total number of families (defined as a couple, a couple with children, or a single adult with children), and if possible, to identify these clients' age, sex, and social race (i.e., Aboriginal, Asian, Black, or Caucasian). Each organization also noted its maximum capacity and any unusual events or circumstances which may have affected the count (e.g. inclement weather, unusual numbers, etc.). The total number of clients using shelters or counted on the streets for the night, was 615: 147 females and 468 males, the majority of whom were between 25 and 54 years of age. While most facilities cannot accommodate families, 28 families were in shelter that night (compared to 25 in 1994). Eighteen of these families were in women's shelters. The total count included 55 children ranging from 0-14 years, 41 youth aged 15-19, and 47 young adults (20-24 years). Nine percent of the sample (n=53) were seniors ranging in age from 55 years or older. Women and girls represented 24% of homeless persons in 1996, up from 16% in 1994; an 8% increase. The majority of homeless persons were Caucasian (n=448, 73%), followed by Aboriginal persons (n=121, 20%), Asian (n=19,3%), and Black (n=18, 3%) persons. The demographic composition of homeless people is also changing as noted earlier. More women, children, and seniors are seeking emergency shelter than in the past.

Summary Credit:
Homelessness-Related Research Capacities in Alberta: A Comprehensive Environmental Scan, prepared by Dr. Katharina Kovacs Burns, MSc, MHSA, PhD and Dr. Solina Richter, PhD, RN for The Alberta Homelessness Research Consortium (2010)