This initiative is an important strategic exercise, which has generated results that will enhance our collective knowledge on demographics, needs and realities of people experiencing homeless in our community. It provides a unique opportunity to help inform future service and program planning as well as policy development and reformulation.

Over a 24-hour period on April 19 and 20, 2018, the City of Ottawa in collaboration with ffty-nine community partners conducted the Count. Over 200 surveyors interviewed 1,400 individuals and families at 118 enumeration sites in programs and services. Participants received a $10 Tim Horton’s card for answering a survey about their demographics, family status and history, citizenship, health, race, sexual orientation, language, Indigenous ancestry, reasons for homelessness, military service, and income.