KDSB conducting third enumeration on homelessness

Tim Brody - Editor

The Kenora District Services Board (KDSB) is undertaking a third homelessness enumeration throughout the District of Kenora the week of October 7-17.
KDSB explained that the enumeration will build on the 2018 and 2021 studies, “and be conducted through many community partners using a Point-in-Time Count (PIT) method. The PIT method is a one-day snapshot of homelessness, which provides a community-specific measure of homelessness.”
KDSB explained in an Oct. 3 media release that the objective of the homeless enumeration is to collect information regarding the state of homelessness and the challenges those who are homeless, living in the rough, or at-risk of becoming homeless in the region face.
“Through the Point-in-Time Count, we will be collecting vital data with our community partners to evaluate and provide better programs and services to those experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. We are confident that the data collected will positively impact our By-Name List, which is a real-time list of people experiencing homelessness in our communities and provides an accurate snapshot of individuals’ current situations, their needs, and barriers they face,” stated Henry Wall, Chief Executive Officer, KDSB.
KDSB is working with local service providers and organizations to ensure those who meet the definition of homeless or at-risk of homelessness are aware of the opportunity to be enumerated in their community.
“The KDSB will use the results from the PIT to measure against past data, measure progress made, and guide future service planning. The results will be available through a report to local agencies, local government, and Kenora District communities. The KDSB will conduct the enumeration bi-annually to better understand the multi-faceted and dynamically changing challenges related to all forms of homelessness in the Kenora District and measure collective success in ending homelessness,” 
KDSB shared. 
A report will be available to the public through KDSB’s website www.kdsb.on.ca, sharing the PIT findings in 2025.