Late last year, Niagara Region took part in a national survey called “Everyone Counts,” a coordinated point-in-time count on the state of homelessness across Canada.
Niagara Region participated in the exercise on Oct. 22, 2024, although the data was only recently released.
The initiative is known in Niagara Region as “Niagara Counts.”
The survey was conducted with support from community agency staff and more than 81 volunteers.
The survey found that at least 701 people were experiencing homelessness on Oct. 22, 2024. That compares to 665 three years prior, suggesting that homelessness in the Region in on the rise.
Among those who were identified as homeless were 101 children under the age of 15. That’s actually down from 2021, when 121 homeless children were identified. There were also 37 homeless youth aged 16 to 24 identified last year, compared to 76 in 2021.
The findings suggest that while homelessness is up, child and youth homelessness is on the decline.
The Region credits this change to diversion programs for youth.
Among those who identified as homeless, 280 were staying in emergency shelters or safe beds, 131 were in transitional housing, 282 were in an unsheltered location, such as a public space or vehicle, and eight were in a motel.
More homeless individuals said they were staying in an unsheltered location last year compared to the 2021 survey, but the Region is pointing to the fact that the 2024 survey was conducted on a warm day in October as a potential reason. By contrast, the 2021 survey was conducted in March.
Unsurprisingly, given that overall homelessness is up but youth homelessness is down, there was a substantial increase in older adults who were homeless from 2021 to 2024.
Nearly 20 per cent of all of those who were homeless in Niagara Region in October 2024 were 55 years and older.
While previous surveys collected specific data on Indigenous homelessness in the community, this survey did not specifically look at Indigenous homelessness. However, the Region says Indigenous partners will be conducting another survey that will be presented at a later date.
Nearly 70 per cent of those found to be homeless had a high school diploma or higher. As well, 61 per cent of respondents said that they were homeless for six months or more, an increase from 42 per cent back in 2021.
The top three reasons for homelessness according to those surveyed were conflict with a landlord, financial hardship, and conflict with a spouse or partner.
More than 70 per cent of respondents also indicated they had a mental health issue, while more than half reported substance abuse issues. Just over 40 per cent self-identified as physically disabled.
While many experts suggest this data is useful for overall trends, some also note that studies like these do not include those who are experiencing so-called hidden homelessness, which includes individuals staying with family or friends on a temporary basis.
Jay Goldberg is the Ontario Director at the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. He previously served as a policy fellow at the Munk School of Public Policy and Global Affairs. Jay holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Toronto.
