Bruce County’s Human Services department, with Grey County and community partners, conducted a homelessness enumeration on Monday, October 18, 2021, as part of the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing mandate.
This review offered a point-in-time count that provides a snapshot of the number of people experiencing homelessness in Bruce County. The enumeration also collected demographic information using a set of standard questions.
Bruce County staff and service providers were in contact with 77 residents who were experiencing homelessness on October 18, 2021. 64 people experiencing homelessness consented to taking the survey.
• 33% of respondents were staying in a municipally funded motel the night of the count. o Bruce County, with funding from the Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative, funds short-term motel stays for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
• 34% of respondents reported staying with friends and family or a self-funded motel.
• 52% of respondents are chronically homeless (homeless for 180 cumulative nights in a year).
• 19% of respondents were under the age of 25.
• 47% of respondents were under the age of 35.
• 20% of respondents identified as Indigenous.
• 49% of respondents identified as having a Medical Illness or Condition
• 38% of respondents identified as having a Physical Limitation
• 38% of respondents identified as having a Learning or Cognitive Limitation
• 67% of respondents identified as having a Mental Health Concern
• 21% of respondents identified as having a Substance Misuse/Use concern
On Thursday, January 13, 2022, Bruce County’s Human Services Committee received the Homelessness Enumeration Report and approved a local rule for housing priority to offer one in every ten units to individuals or families from the Bruce County ‘By-Name List’.
“The homelessness enumeration is a means to garner information about the number of people who are homeless, the services they currently use, and potential gaps in services,” says Christine MacDonald, Interim CAO and Director of Human Services, “This information will help Bruce County build a strong housing response system for vulnerable residents. Thank you to volunteers and community organizations that assisted in the enumeration.”
Warden Janice Jackson adds, “Bruce County is committed to planning, delivering, and advocating for responsive services that help individuals and families enhance their level of participation and quality of life in our communities. Bruce County strives to provide accessible services that remove barriers and create opportunities.”
