City of Terrace Homeless Count 2019

2019 CITY OF TERRACE Point-in-Time
Homelessness Count
HOMELESS COUNT
This report will provide an overview of homelessness in Terrace during
the night o f April 7 and during the day of April 8, 2019 .
The 2019 City of Terrace Homeless count was made possible through the
efforts of many individuals. Coast Mountain College’s Community
Development class of 2019 would like to thank all the agencies, city staff,
service providers, and others, who provided guidance and assistance during
this research project.
In particular we would like to thank:
Terrace citizens who face the challenges of Homelessness: thank you for
taking the time to share your stories.
1st year Social Service Worker Students from Coast Mountain College.
3rd year Bachelor of Social Work Students from UNBC Terrace Campus, who
shared their time, knowledge and materials to make the count a success.
Ksan Society- Amanda Bains, Sabrina O’Connor, and Cheryl Gray
Kermode Friendship Society
Terrace and District Community Services
Terrace Detachment- RCMP
Dustin Lupick - Homelessness Services Association of BC- Research and Policy

Analyst
Celine Maboules – Homelessness Services Association of BC- Executive

Director
City of Terrace Staff, Mayor and Councillors
The members of the 2019 Terrace Homeless Count Team were: Corbin Bright,
Kaeleigh Ross, Tiana Walker, Courtney Costain, Nicole Henry, Evan Greenall,
Ashley Ridgeway, Megan Bellamy, Jordyn Hamer, Carmelle Benko, Susie Ann
Naziel, Cassandra Scherer, Ayla Thompson
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2019 City of Terrace Homeless Count
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Executive Summary: Profile of Homelessness in Terrace, B.C., in 2019.
The 2019 Homeless count was undertaken as a “point in time” count. The count was
conducted over a 24-hour period. Only people who spent the night of April 7th in a local
shelter, or self-identified to the count team as homeless on the day of April 8th were
included in this data set.
Number of People Experiencing Homelessness in Terrace.

A total of 71 people in the City of Terrace were identified as homeless on April 7th/8th
2019. Of those, 49 were unsheltered and 22 sheltered. During the Point in Time 2019
count, the Turning Points Extreme Weather Response (EWR) shelter was closed.
The majority of the sheltered homeless population included 22 people staying overnight in
the Ksan Residence homeless shelter and Ksan transition house. No data was available
from Mills Memorial Hospital or RCMP cells.
The unsheltered homeless population included 49 people living outside and/or staying
temporarily with others. These individuals self-identified as homeless on the day of the
Count.
People of First Nations Ancestry Over-Represented.

The total number of people claiming Indigenous Identity is a count of those who
participated in the survey and self-identified as Indigenous/First Nations. 61 people
answered this question on the survey and of those respondents, 49 people identified as
Indigenous, representing 80% of all respondents to this question.
First Nations represent the majority of people identified by the 2019 Terrace Homeless
Count.
According to Statistics Canada (2018), the 2011 National Household Survey (NHS) and the
2016 Aboriginal Peoples Survey (APS) indicates First Nations people constitute 5% of the
total population in British Columbia.
People who are Homeless in Terrace are citizens of Terrace.

57 people responded to the question related to length of time in the community. Only15
(26%) reported being in Terrace for less than a year.
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Executive Summary continued…
Hidden Homeless.
Due to the nature of homelessness, the hidden homeless, would be among those not
counted, hence the term hidden. It would be important for future counts to consider ways
to capture this population.
Men Continue to Be the Majority of People Counted.

Among those who responded to the question, women accounted for 38% of the total
homeless population (26 individuals) while men represented 61% (43 individuals). <1%
identified as two-spirited in the survey.
Reason for Housing Loss.
The category “other (specified)” was the highest cited reason for housing lost at 33% with
respondents citing LNG, lack of housing, high utilities, family break up, and landlord
restrictions. Addictions or substance use was the second highest cited reason for housing
loss at 24%. Respondents were able to cite multiple reasons.
Barriers to Finding Housing.

In response to the question, “what is keeping you from finding a place to live?”, the three
most cited barriers were: the high cost of rent (50%), a lack of income (34%) and mental
health issues (17%). Respondents were able to cite multiple barriers.
Patterns of Service Use.

Soup Kitchens and Meal programs were among the most commonly accessed services at
63%. In addition, 61% had used a food bank; overall 80 % of respondents used food
services. 76% of the respondents had used health services that include ambulance and
emergency services, in the past year.
Health of People Experiencing Homelessness.
A majority of the respondents indicated they live with a health condition (89%). Addiction,
medical conditions/illness and physical disability constitute the main concerns. 58%
reported living with addictions, 42% reported a general medical condition, 36% of the
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respondents reported living with a physical disability. Most respondents reported having
multiple, concurrent health issues.
Sources of Income.
There is a wide range of income sources among the respondents. Most respondents
received income from Income Assistance (50%), followed by18% earning an income from
panhandling, followed by 16% earning an income from both disability benefit and
binning/bottle collecting.
Planning Map of Terrace, B.C., utilized for 2019 Homeless Count.
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Table of Contents
Glossary of Terms 9
Introduction 11
Findings 13
1. The Number of People Experiencing Homelessness in the City of Terrace 13
1.1. Total Population Experiencing Homelessness Included in the Count 14
1.1.2. Trend: Past to Present 14
2. Profile of People Experiencing Homelessness in Terrace in 2019 15
2.1. Gender 15
2.2. Trend re: Gender 15
2.3. Age Groups 15
2.4. Indigenous Identity 16
2.4.1 Metro Vancouver Homeless Count Comparison 16
2.5. Length of Time Homeless 16
2.6. Length of Time in Terrace 17
2.7. Community of Origin 17
2.8. Health Conditions 18
2.9. Main Sources of Income 19
2.10. Reasons for Housing Loss 19
2.11. Barriers to Finding Housing 20
2.12. Patterns of Service Use 21
2.13. In Care 22
2.14. Age First Time Homeless 22
Count Methodology 23
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3. Methodology 23
3.1. Surveys 23
3.2. Planning 23
3.3. Point in Time Counts 24
3.4 Benefits of Point-in-Time Counts 24
3.5. Privacy 24
3.6. Limitations 25
3.6.1. Lack of Willingness to Participate 25
3.6.2. The Weather 26
3.6.4. Geography of Terrace 26
3.6.5. Length of Survey 26
References 28
Appendix A: Safety Plan 29
Appendix B: Volunteer Registration 31
Appendix C: Post Count Update for Mayor and Council 34
Appendix D: Example of Survey Tool 35
Appendix E: Corbin Bright & Tiana Walker – Student Paper 37
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Glossary of Terms and Definitions
Indigenous identity: Refers to whether the respondent identifies with a First Nations
peoples of Canada. This includes those who reported being a First Nations (North American
Indian), Métis or Inuk (Inuit) and/or those who reported Registered or Treaty Indian status
that is registered under the Indian Act of Canada and/or those who reported membership
in a First Nation or Indian band. Aboriginal peoples of Canada are defined in the
constitution Act, 1982, Section 35 (2) as including the Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples of
Canada.1
EWR shelters: Extreme Weather Response Shelters are activated when “Conditions [are]
deemed severe enough to present a substantial threat to the life and/or health of people
who are homeless”
Homelessness: Homelessness describes the situation of an individual, family or

community without stable, safe, permanent, appropriate housing, or the immediate
prospect, means and ability of acquiring it. It is the result of systemic or societal barriers, a
lack of affordable and appropriate housing, the individual/household’s financial, mental,
cognitive, behavioural or physical challenges, and/or racism and discrimination. Most
people do not choose to be homeless, and the experience is generally negative, unpleasant,
unhealthy, unsafe, stressful and distressing.
LGBTQ2+: Individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit
or questioning.
Magnet Event: An event that might draw individuals who fit the demographic criteria for
the Count.
No answer/not known: In many tables there is a line for ‘no answer/not known’. This
includes both individuals who declined to answer a question but who may have completed
the rest of the survey, and those individuals who did not answer the survey at all but were
counted through shelter statistics forms.
No fixed address (NFA) locations: Includes jails, detox centres and hospitals/short-term
medical facilities; individuals are included in “Sheltered” unless broken out differently in
specific tables.
Seniors: Individuals aged 55 and older.
Sheltered: Sheltered refers to all individuals in the Count who were identified as homeless
and who stayed overnight on the night of April 7th in an emergency shelter, or a transition
house for women and children fleeing violence. It also includes individuals with no fixed
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address who were staying temporarily in a hospital, jail or detox facility the night of April
7th, unless this information is detailed differently in specific tables.
Shelters: Includes shelters (temporary nightly shelters, extreme weather response

shelters and other shelter programs), safe houses and transition houses.
Unsheltered: The unsheltered respondents include all individuals in the Count who
completed a street survey on April 8th and who had no formal physical shelter overnight
on April 7th (i.e. were staying outside, in alleys, doorways, camps, parks and vehicles). It
also includes people who were staying temporarily at someone else’s place (couch surfing)
overnight on April 7th, and who were interviewed on the street or at an event or service on
April 8th.
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Introduction
The 2019 City of Terrace Homeless Count was structured after the “Point-in-Time” survey
method, providing only a “snap-shop” of a population of people experiencing homelessness
within the municipal boundaries of the City of Terrace. This glimpse into homelessness in
the community of Terrace began on the evening of the 7th and ended the evening of the 8th
of April, encompassing a 24-hour period.
The purpose of the count is to provide an understanding into the nature and the scope of
homelessness in Terrace. The Point-in-Time method is simply a glimpse, and does not
indicate a minimum or maximum number of individuals experiencing homelessness in
Terrace. More specifically, the Point-in-Time count is barely an estimate into the numbers
of individuals experiencing homelessness in some form. The number of individuals who
are homeless in Terrace, realistically, exceeds the numbers presented in this report.
There is a spectrum of conditions contributing to homelessness, and factors such as the

transient nature, or the possible migration of individuals can make the accuracy of such a
count impossible. As well, many individuals in Terrace without any type of permanent
housing or shelter may be among the ‘invisible’ or hidden-homeless. These individuals are
unseen in the eyes of a community, and so go uncounted among the population of
individuals experiencing homelessness. Some perhaps, may choose not to be included in
the count, or simply may not be present the day of the count.
During the 2019 Terrace Homeless Count information was collected from people who did
not have a place of their own where they could expect to stay for more than 30 days and/or
where they were not paying rent. This included people who:
1) Stayed outside the night of April 7th, camping, in a car, sleeping rough, etc. or stayed
temporarily indoors with others, either “couch surfing” or “crashing”.
2) Stayed the night of April 7th in the Ksan Residence Shelter, and the Transition house.
Homeless Counts have been conducted in the City of Terrace since 2014. Each count has
provided variant numbers, in terms of the population of individuals who experience
homelessness. The information provided by such counts is utilized among decision
makers, funders and community agencies, to understand the trends of the visible homeless
population.
The 2019 City of Terrace Homeless Count was led by the second-year, Coast Mountain
College Social Service Worker (SSW) students as a Community Development project along
with first-year SSW students, with the aid of 3rd year Social Work students from the
University of Northern British Columbia.
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The 2019 City of Terrace Homeless Count was strengthened by the training provided by
the Homelessness Services Association of BC. This count was able to utilize standardized
survey forms created for the 2019 Provincial Homeless Count. This enables the data
obtained to be consistent, as much as possible, year to year, across the province.
This report and presentation will provide the findings of this “snap-shot” in time. Some
comparisons between data from previous years will be included for the sake of context and
understanding trends.
In an effort to provide a comprehensive picture of both the data gathered, and the process
that allowed for data collection, this report will contain elements of the planning process,
such as minutes and volunteer agreements, privacy considerations, the surveys, and other
information associated with the 2019 Homeless Count. In addition, a co-written, student
essay will be included in this document to allow for a more in-depth analysis of
homelessness and poverty. The essay is not an attempt to sum-up the nature of homeless
but is more to contribute to the context and understanding. The inclusion of these various
elements should assist in the standardization of the Homeless Count for future years.
The Challenging Task of Estimating Homelessness

The technique, or methodology, utilized for the 2019 City of Terrace Homeless Count is
known as a Point-In-Time sample. This methodology estimates a minimum number of
people who are homeless over a 24hour period. This technique does not account for all the
people who become homeless during the year nor does it account for the people who find
housing during the year. Individuals may move in and out of homelessness in a cyclical
manner throughout the year.
1) Visible Homeless: The “point in time”

methodology counts only a select portion of
Terrace’s homeless population. This population is
Visible
referred to as the “visible” homeless. The analogy of
an iceberg, where most of the mass exists below the
waterline, is an apt descriptor of the reality of
Hidden Homeless
homelessness in Terrace. The “visible” homeless
exist above the waterline and represent only a small
portion of Terrace’s homeless population. This group
At Risk of “visible” homeless are the focus of this report.
2) Hidden Homeless: Not included in this

report, or the data collected, are the “hidden
homeless”. The “hidden homeless” are individuals
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and/or families who do not have a regular address in which they have security of tenure.
This group may be staying temporarily in another household (couch surfing). Other
“hidden homeless” may choose to remain secluded within bush camps or abandoned
homes or buildings, or actively avoid contact with the public, service providers and the
police. Numerous people who were approached by the Homeless count team declined to be
surveyed for various reasons. The 2019 count only included the people found during the
24-hour survey window who agreed to complete the survey.
3) At Risk: Also, not included in this report, or the data collected, are those
individuals “at risk” of becoming homeless. A myriad of factors can put an individual, or
family, at risk of becoming homeless. Job loss, unmanaged addiction, violence, or the threat
of violence, difficult health issues and mental health concerns can all put strains on an
individual’s ability to maintain housing. Financial issues are most commonly cited as
putting an individual or family “at risk” of homelessness. According to the Canadian
Mortgage and Housing Corporation (2019), the method of measuring affordability is to
apply the 30% shelter-cost-to income ratio” and according to 2016 Census, close to a
quarter of Canadian households spent more than 30% on shelter costs. (CMHC, 2019) As
well, the low vacancy rate in Terrace is an important factor for those individuals who find
themselves “at risk” for homelessness.
Other challenges emerged during the homeless count that may have impacted the
collection of data for this report (more details in the limitations section:
1) Extreme Weather Shelter was closed for the evening of count April 7th. Ksan
Residence was at capacity and staff were unable to administer the surveys to all the
residents.
2) April 8th saw a pronounced security presence throughout the downtown core.
This heightened presence was noted, by survey participants, as a factor that potentially
impacted the count results.
Findings
1. The Number of People Experiencing Homelessness in the City of Terrace
This section provides an overview of the total number of people counted in the 2019
Homeless Count in the City of Terrace. It also includes data from previous Terrace
Homeless Counts, where available, to identify trends.
1.1. Total Population Experiencing Homelessness Included in the Count
The primary purpose of the Homeless Count is to estimate the number of people who self-
identified as homeless inside the City limits of Terrace at a specific time. There were 82
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respondents to the survey with 71 respondents identifying as homeless in Terrace on April
7th and April 8th. Of those identified as homeless, 22 were housed in one of Terrace’s
shelters and enumerated on the Sheltered Survey. 49 individuals were enumerated
through the utilization of the Street survey.
Of the 22 individuals counted, 12 spent the night at Ksan Residence Shelter and 10 at the
Transition House. Each of these shelters regularly operates at or near capacity. Turning
Points Housing Connections shelter was closed the evening of April 7th, 2019; no data could
be obtained for this survey. No data was obtained from the RCMP as no persons met the
screening criteria. No data was obtained from Individuals who spent the night in the
hospital.
Table 1: Sheltered or Unsheltered

Sheltered or Unsheltered Number of Individuals Percentage
Homeless
Transition House 10 14%

Ksan Residence 12 17%
Unsheltered 49 69%
RCMP Cells & Hospital 0 0%
Total 71 100%
1.1.2. Trend: Past to Present

Table 2 puts together data from each of the available Terrace Homeless Counts. The
differing methodologies associated with the data collection year to year must be
considered as a factor when making comparisons based on data from Table 2.
Table 2: Sheltered or Unsheltered: Year over Year Trends
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Average 2019 2019

Compared
to
Average
Sheltered 21 33 36 21 68 36 22 -14
Unsheltered 41 30 44 31 28 35 49 +14
unknown 5 10 18 11 - - - -
Total 67 73 98 63 96 71 71 =
Note: the unknown category of past counts was eliminated in 2018. Recording
observed or perceived homelessness (i.e. someone asleep in the park who may
appear homeless) relies on subjective judgment of the survey taker and inserts the
potential for double counting thus is not a technique utilized in the 2019 Count.
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2. Profile of People Experiencing Homelessness in Terrace in 2019
This section provides a profile of individuals who identified as being homeless on April 7th,
2019 and April 8, 2019.
2.1. Gender
During the homeless count participants were asked to self-identify their gender. Among the
respondents, the majority identified as Male, at 61% while female respondents represented
38% of the respondent population, <1% two-spirited.
Table 3: Gender
GENDER Number of Percentage
Individuals
Male 43 61%
Female 26 38%
Transgendered/Other 1 <1%
Total Respondents 70
No Answer/Unknown 1 <1%
Total 71 100%
2.2. Trend re: Gender
The year over year trend of female respondents appears stable, with one less female
respondent in 2019 than the 5-year average. The number of male respondents in 2019 is
less than the 5-year average in a manner similar to the trends in the overall numbers, with
12 less male respondents in 2019 than the 5-year average.
Table 4: Gender: Year over Year Trends

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Average 2019 2019
compared
to
average
Male 45 45 76 40 68 55 43 -12
Female 21 28 37 21 28 27 26 -1
2.3. Age Groups
This category presents demographic information related to age. The 25-54 years of age
category held the highest number of respondents with 47%. Youth under 25 years of age
was the second highest with 45%. This is a significant change from the 2018 count where
only 9% (6 respondents) identified with the less than 25 age group.
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Table 5: Age Groups
Age Groups Number of Percentage
Individuals
Youth (<25) 22 45%
Adults (25-54) 23 47%
Seniors (55+) 4 8%
Total respondents 49 100%
No Answer/Unknown 22
Total 71
2.4. Indigenous Identity
In this category, respondents were asked to self-identify as indigenous or nonindigenous.

The majority of respondents, at 86%, affirmed their indigeneity.
Table 6: Indigenous Identity

Indigenous Identity Number of Percentage
Individuals
Indigenous 49 82%
Not Indigenous 18% 18%
Total Respondents 60 100%
Total 71
2.4.1. 2018 Report on Homeless Counts in B.C.
The significance of the Terrace data can be observed through comparison with the 2018
Report on Homeless Counts in BC data in table 7. (B.C. Non-Profit Housing Association,
2018). Metro Vancouver data shows 34% of the respondents identified as Indigenous.
Table 6: Metro Vancouver: Indigenous Identity
Indigenous 2008 2011 2014 2017 2018

Identity
Indigenous 32% 27% 31% 34% 40%
Non- 68% 73% 69% 66% 60%
Indigenous
2.5. Length of Time Homeless
Table 7 shows the length of time for which respondents had experienced homelessness.
Table 7 shows that for the majority of individuals, at 73%, homelessness appears to be
longstanding, potentially chronic issue that is reported as persisting for 1 year or more.
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Table 7: Length of Time Homeless
LENGTH OF TIME Number of Percentage
HOMELESS Individuals
Less than 6 months 12 22%

6 months to under 1 year 3 5%
1 year or more 41 73%
Total 71
2.6. Length of Time in Terrace
56 individuals responded to the question related to length of time in the community. Only
11(20%) reported being in Terrace for less than a year. Table 8 shows that 73% of
individuals homeless in Terrace have been in Terrace for 5 years or more.
Table 8: Length of Time in Terrace

LENGTH OF TIME IN Number of Percentage
COMMUNITY Individuals
Less than 1 year 11 20%
1 year to under 5 years 4 7%
5 years to under 10 years 7 12%
10 years or more 24 43%
Always lived here 10 18%
Total 71
2.7. Community of Origin
Individuals were asked to state their Community of Origin and 18% named Terrace as their
community of origin as noted in Table 9.
Table 9: Community of Origin

Community of Number of
Origin Individuals
Terrace 10
Prince Rupert 7
Kitimat 3
Prince George 5
Surrey 1
Morristown 1
Thornhill 1
Leduc, Alberta 1
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Kispiox 1
Bella Coola 1
Telegraph Creek 1
Castlegar 1
Nova Scotia 1
Gitsegukla 1
Hazelton 2
New Aiyansh 3
Fort St. John 1
Nass 1
Chilliwack 1
Kincolith 2
Port Alberni 1
Kitwanga 1
Toronto 1
Victoria 1
Smithers 2
Hartley Bay 1
Fort McMurray, Alberta 1
Calvington, Alberta 1
Total 71
2.8. Health Conditions
Respondents were asked to identify health conditions that impact their lives. The
opportunity was available to provide an answer in more than one category. Addiction was
most cited by individuals surveyed.
Table 9: Health Conditions

HEALTH CONDITIONS Number of Percentage
(more than 1 possible) Individuals
Addiction 40 69%
Medical condition 29 50%
Mental illness 15 26%
Physical disability 25 43%
Total 71
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2.9. Main Sources of Income
Surveyed individuals were asked to report their main sources of income. More than one
answer was allowed in this category. Income Assistance was the highest cited category at
57% as noted in Table 10.
There is wide range of income sources among the homeless population. Details regarding
the category “other” were not gathered in this survey.
Table 10: Main Sources of Income

MAIN SOURCES OF Number of Percentage
INCOME (more than 1 Individuals
possible)
Income assistance 34 57%
Disability benefit 11 18%
Part-time employment 2 3%
Full-time employment 1 2%
Employment insurance 3 5%
Youth Agreement 0 0%
Canada Pension 4 7%
Plan/Pension
Old Age Security 0 0%
/Guaranteed Income
Supplement
Binning 11 18%
Panhandling 12 20%
Friends/family 3 5%
Vending 2 3%
Honoraria 3 5%
No income 5 8%
Other 3 5%
Total 71
2.10. Reasons for Housing Loss
A wide range of reasons for housing loss are evident from Table 11. The most cited reason
(36%) related to the “other” category where respondents stated LNG, lack of housing, high
utilities, family break up, and landlord restrictions as reasons for their housing loss.
Addictions or substance use was the second highest reason at 30%.
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Table 11: Reasons for Housing Loss
REASONS FOR HOUSING Number of Percentage
LOSS Individuals
(more than 1 possible)
Addiction or substance use 17 30%
Eviction 5 9%
Illness or medical condition 3 5%
Job loss 6 10%
Conflict: Spouse or partner 4 7%
Conflict: parent or guardian 0
Unsafe Housing conditions 6 10%
Experienced abuse by 3 5%
parent/guardian
Experienced abuse by 4 7%
spouse/partner
Hospitalization or 1 2%
Treatment Program
Incarcerated (jail or prison) 1 2%
Unable to pay rent 9 16%
Other 21 36%
Total 71
2.11. Barriers to Finding Housing
The barriers to finding housing are myriad and the answers varied but the 3 most cited
barriers were, 1) Rent too high: 50%, 2) Income too low: 35%, and 3) Other: 21% (just
need some help, just moved to the area, preferred to stay with family, no references, no
housing available, no credit, not enough money from the government, lack of resources).
Respondents were able to provide more than one answer to this query.
Table 12: Barriers to finding housing

What is keeping you from Number of Percentage
finding a place/Barriers to Respondents
housing (more than 1
possible answer)
Rent too high 29 50%
Income too low 20 35%
No housing available that 9 16%
suits my needs
Addiction 9 16%
Poor housing conditions 2 4%
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(bedbugs, mould, unsafe
housing)
Lack of Identification 3 5%
Discrimination 0 0%
No income/no income 3 5%
assistance
Family 2 4%
breakdown/abuse/conflict
Mental health issues 1 2%
History of eviction/lack of 3 5%
references
Conflict with law 0 0%
Lack of transportation 0 0%
pets 1 2%
Other (specified) 12 21%
Total 71
2.12. Patterns of Service Use
Homeless Count Survey participants were asked about their use of services in the City of
Terrace. Respondents were invited to provide more than 1 answer to the question. Of those
who answered this question, 64% claimed to utilize meal programs or the Soup Kitchen,
62% reported using the food bank, and 57% said they used emergency medical services.
Participants were invited to name multiple services used.
Table 13: Patterns of Service Use

SERVICES USED IN LAST Number of Percentage
12 MONTHs Individuals
(more than 1 possible)
Emergency Medical services 33 57%
Meal program/soup kitchen 37 64%
Hospital/medical 30 52%
(nonemergency)
Health Clinic 13 22%
Ambulance 30 52%
Food bank 36 62%
Drop-in 6 10%
Outreach 32 55%
Harm reduction (other 1 2%
specified)
Addiction services 18 31%
Probation/Parole 10 17%
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Mental health services 19 33%
Employment 20 35%
Dental services 12 21%
Housing help/eviction 4 7%
prevention
Transitional housing 11 19%
Faith based/spiritual 4 7%
Legal 13 22%
Budgeting/trusteeship 3 5%
Other 2 3%
None 0 0%
Newcomer 1 2%
Total 71
2.13. In Care
66% of those individuals who responded to this question claimed never to have been in the
care of child services or foster care. 34% cited time spent in care. This question was noted,
by volunteer enumerators as eliciting a strong emotional reaction as well as a chance to
speak about their experiences.
Table 14: Foster Care

FOSTER CARE Number of Percentage
Individuals
Currently in Care 0 0%
Previously in Care 20 34%
Never in Care 39 66%
Total 71
2.14 Age First Time Homeless
Table 15 reports the age at which a respondent claimed they initially experienced
homelessness. 45% of the respondents reported experiencing being homeless for the first
time before they reached the age of 25.
Table 15: First Time Homeless

AGE FIRST TIME Number of Percentage
HOMELESS Respondents
Youth (<25) 22 45%
Adults (25 - 54 years) 23 47%
Seniors (>55 years) 4 8%
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Total 71
Count Methodology
3. Methodology
This section describes elements of the methodology of the 2019 Terrace Homeless Count.
3.1. Surveys
On the evening of April 7th, 2019, staff from Ksan shelters gathered data using a paper-
based survey designed by BC Housing and the Homelessness Services Association of BC.
The RCMP was asked to report out on the number of individuals in cells with no fixed
address.
The survey was specifically designed for those individuals utilizing shelter services and is
referred to as the “Sheltered” survey.
The following day, a similar survey designed to screen out those counted in the shelters the
night before was utilized by first and second year Social Service Worker students from
Coast Mountain College as well as third year Social Work students from the University of
Northern British Columbia. This survey is referred to as the “Street” survey. Both the
sheltered and street surveys were designed and tested to be statistically valid and reliable
regarding the data being collected.
3.2. Planning
Prior to the day of the count, second year Social Service Worker students, through
canvassing of community contacts and service providing agencies, determined the 7th and
8th of April would be an appropriate Homeless Count date.
The determination of this date was made based on the availability of students to complete
the count, through canvassing of community contacts and service providing agencies and
an opportunity to create a magnet event.
A magnet event is an event that would appeal to and draw individuals who might be
homeless. A hot meal luncheon was planned with TDCSS and Kermode Friendship Society.
Prior to the day of the count, students determined zones of coverage using a city map in
order to ensure all areas within the Municipal boundaries would be covered.
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All first- and second-year students underwent training to familiarize themselves with the
survey tool and to practice the survey questions. The training session was facilitated by the
Homeless Services Association of BC. The second-year students met with the first-year
students to familiarize them with the process and commitment needed to be a part of the
administering the survey.
During the training sessions students reviewed the guidelines related to confidentiality.
The training sessions heavily emphasized the importance of safety for the students. Each
first-year student was placed into a team with a team leader who had undergone the PiT
Count at least once before and who understood the procedure. Each student received and
familiarized themselves with a comprehensive safety plan.
3.3. Point in Time Counts
The 2019 Terrace Homeless Count utilized a “Point-in-Time” strategy to gather data.
According to Donaldson (2017), a Point-in-Time (PiT) Count is a strategy to help determine
the extent of homelessness in a community during a limited period of time.
A PiT Count allows a community to better understand the nature and extent of
homelessness and the characteristics of the homeless population. Such counts support
better planning, and when done on more than one occasion, allow communities to assess
their progress in reducing homelessness.
A PiT Count is a snapshot: the success and accuracy of the numbers and information
gathered depend on the thoroughness of the methods and participation by stakeholders.
A PiT Count is just one data collection strategy among many. Homelessness management
information systems, such as Homeless Individuals and Families Information System
(HIFIS), shelter bed counts, registry weeks and other research methodologies provide
complementary information.
While a comprehensive PiT Count offers important information about a community, the
count cannot provide an exact number of people experiencing homelessness in any given
community.
3.4. Benefits of Point-in-Time Counts
PiT Counts provide critical information to help guide local, provincial and national
responses to homelessness. PiT Counts enable communities to measure their progress in
reducing homelessness and test the efficacy of community interventions. PiT counts
provide vital benchmarks, especially in communities where systematic data on
homelessness is sparse.
24
Counts can significantly increase a community’s ability to take action toward ending
homelessness by:
• Identifying the characteristics of the local population.

• Increasing capacity to undertake a local needs assessment.
• Enhancing system planning and program development.
• Measuring progress toward ending homelessness.
• Increasing public awareness about homelessness.
3.5. Privacy
BC Housing conducted a Privacy Impact Assessment for the 2018 Homeless Count
according to Section 69(5.3) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
(FOIPPA). This included reviewing the full scope of work for the Homeless Count as well as
the surveys.
All volunteers were required to participate in a training session, which included a privacy
component prior to participating in the Homeless Count. Survey packages provided to
volunteers included a contact card in case survey participants had privacy questions.
Volunteers were trained to ask participants if they wished to participate in the survey and
to convey the following:
“Hello, my name is _______ and I’m a volunteer for the (Terrace) Homeless Count. We are
conducting a survey to provide better programs and services to people experiencing
homelessness. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary, and
your name will be not be recorded. You can choose to skip any question or stop the interview
at any time. The answers you provide are collected under BC’s Privacy Act. Results will
contribute to the understanding of homelessness across BC and Canada and will help with
research to improve services. Doing the interview will not affect your use of services in any
way. Do you consent to be interviewed?”
3.6. Limitations
According to B.C. Non-Profit Housing Association & M. Thomson Consulting (2017),

“Homeless Counts are inherently undercounts,” and the 2019 Terrace Homeless Count was
no exception.
Despite best efforts to include everyone who was homeless during the Count, it is
understood that some people who are homeless will be missed and others may not want to
participate.
A number of factors, previously mentioned but reiterated below, have been identified that
may have affected the results of the 2019 Homeless Count.
25
3.6.1. Lack of Willingness to Participate
Many people who are homeless do not want to be counted and prefer to remain hidden.
People who are homeless may be tired of being surveyed and may not be willing to be
surveyed since they have participated in several Counts and have not seen any changes or
benefit. Stigma regarding homelessness frequently impacts a person’s willingness to
participate in the Homeless Count or to be identified as homeless. Many expressed their
frustration with the wait time for housing. They explained to the Count volunteers that they
have been approved for housing but it’s taking too long.
3.6.2. Hidden Homelessness
Service providers have expressed concern that the Homeless Count numbers
underestimate the number of individuals who are homeless. Stigma regarding
homelessness frequently impacts a person’s willingness to participate in the Homeless
Count or to be identified as homeless.
The hidden homeless for the purpose of the Homeless Count includes people who are deep
in forests or parks, in nooks and crannies or in abandoned buildings where volunteers
don’t find them. Similarly, service providers have expressed concern that women who are
homeless are undercounted. They may use coping strategies such as couch surfing or living
in unsafe situations to avoid street homelessness.
3.6.3. The Weather
Leading up to the 2019 Terrace Homeless Count, the weather was trending warm, so the Turning
Points EWR shelter was considering closing. April 1st saw temperatures up to 18.3 degrees
Celsius, leading to the closure of the shelter. Temperatures on April 7th dropped to 7.4 degrees
Celsius (high), and 2.8 degrees Celsius (low), with winds of 56 km/h (max.). The day of the
street count, temperatures were 13 degrees Celsius (high) and 2.6 degrees Celsius (low) with
winds of 39 km/h (max.). The Turning Points EWR shelter was closed because of the warm
temperatures, and did not reopen until the evening of April 8th, contributing to individuals being
missed. In other words, the cold weather may have resulted in more individuals finding other
means of shelter, such as couch surfing to avoid sleeping on the street. This factor may
contribute to individuals being among the hidden homeless population.
3.6.4. Geography of Terrace
Terrace Mountain and many of the wooded areas throughout the city offer refuge to those
who seek safety in seclusion. Wooded areas can also act as a guard for those who wish to
avoid others.
Numerous camps were found by Count Volunteers but many, more well-hidden camps,
likely went undetected. This may have resulted in some individuals not being counted.
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3.6.5. Length of Survey
The nature of the survey presents limitations regarding participation and response rates.
Volunteers found some questions, such as the question on sexual orientation,
uncomfortable to ask. Others reported a negative response from individuals being
interviewed. This may have also impacted response rates. A large portion of the shelter
surveys were incomplete. The shelters reported being extremely busy and were not able to
complete the surveys with each individual and/or administer the survey.
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References
2018 Terrace Homeless Count Team (2018). 2018 City of Terrace Homeless Count.
Prepared for City of Terrace. Retrieved from:
https://terrace.civicweb.net/document/6725
B.C. Non-Profit Housing Association & M. Thomson Consulting. (2017). 2017

Homeless Count in Metro Vancouver. Metro Vancouver Homelessness
Partnering Strategy Community Entity. Burnaby.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. (2018). Housing in Canada Online.

Definitions of Variables. Retrieved from:
http://cmhc.beyond2020.com/HiCODefinitions_EN.html
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. (2019). Socio-Economic Inequalities in

Housing Issues: Measurement and Beyond. Retrieved from:
https://eppdscrmssa01.blob.core.windows.net/cmhcprodcontainer/sf/project/arc
hive/research_3/socio-economic_inequalities_in_housing_issues.pdf
Donaldson, J. (2017). Point in time count toolkit: Canadian Observatory on

Homelessness Press. Retrieved from:
http://homelesshub.ca/sites/default/files/COHhomelessdefinition.pdf
Statistics Canada (2018). Aboriginal Peoples: Fact Sheet for British Columbia.
Retrieved from:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/89-656-x/89-656-x2016011-eng.htm
The Homelessness Services Association of BC, Urban Matters, and BC Non-Profit Housing
Association (2018). 2018 Report on Homeless Counts in B.C. Prepared for BC
Housing. Burnaby, BC: Metro Vancouver.
Urban Matters CCC and the BC Non-Profit Housing Association (2018). Vancouver Homeless
Count 2018. Prepared for City of Vancouver, BC. Retrieved from:
https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/vancouver-homeless-count-2018-final-report.pdf
28
Appendix A: Safety Plan
Safety Plan, PiT 2019
 Dress appropriately
o Dress for the weather (close-toed shoes, jacket, rain gear)
o If using a bag, wear a properly fitted back-pack, or a cross shouldered bag
o Leave valuable items at home or in your locked car
 Stay with your team
o Do not enter any area by yourself – this includes tents, abandoned buildings, alleys
etc.
o Stay within eyesight of a team member
 If you feel unsafe
o Call 911 if any situation feels dangerous
o Do not pick up or touch drugs, or any drug paraphernalia
o Do not interrupt the sale of sex, or any illegal activities, such as the sale of drugs
o Establish a code word with team, in the event you feel unsafe, activate the code word
to leave area as a team
 When approaching people/areas for survey
o Announce your arrival with a friendly wave if someone can see you or by calling
“hello” if you cannot see anyone, and you are approaching an occupied area
o Do not approach people from behind
o Keep at an arm’s length
o Do not have your back turned to others
o Do not touch people
o Do not follow anyone, other than team member, for any reason
o Do not push anyone to answer any of the questions
o Do not share personal information about yourself or team
o Have an exit plan before entering all areas
 Personal
o Bring a charged cell phone
o Follow schedule, and map
o Check in at scheduled check-in times (every hour via text to Team Lead)
Wednesday April 8th Schedule

6:45am
• AM teams meet in Room 3 at the Terrace Sportsplex
• Communications check
• Survey and safety plan hand out
• Incentive hand out
• To route count
11:30 – 1:30 pm – Magnet Event luncheon
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1:30pm – 2:30pm Everyone arrives for lunch at Sportsplex room
2:30pm
• Shift change PM teams
• Communications check
• Survey and safety plan hand out
• Incentive hand out
• To route count
8:00pm
Back to headquarters for debrief
8:30pm
Finished
Check In
• Team Leader text headquarters every hour
• If Jacqui or Marja doesn’t get a check in from you, they will text first then call you
30
Appendix B
Duties of the Volunteer Enumerator
The main duty of an enumerator is surveying people at locations where homeless people
might be found during the hours of 8 am to 8 p.m. on Monday, April 8, 2019.
Volunteers are required to navigate on foot through the streets of Terrace for up to eight
hours, therefore should be physically able to do so. Volunteers must be fluent in English.
Volunteers will be paired off and assigned a walking route where they will conduct the
count.
Some routes may require the use of a vehicle to access them.
Each team (approximately two volunteers) will be provided with a map of their route and
tools to record basic demographic information.
Comfort and Communication Tips
You will be walking, standing and moving for the majority of the count. Please make sure
you wear comfortable clothing and good walking shoes.
You will be outside, so dress for the weather on the day of the count.
We will be going ahead with the count regardless of the temperature and weather
conditions, so please be prepared!
Please do not bring anything that may inhibit your ability to do the count with you, such as
big purses or backpacks. Remember to leave valuables at home as well.
We will be asking volunteers to leave their cell phone numbers with the base site
coordinator upon departing for their count route. This will help us to keep in contact with
volunteers while they are conducting the survey.
Responsibilities Volunteers are responsible for:

• Approaching everyone you meet on the street (regardless of their appearance).
• Identifying yourself as a volunteer doing a survey on homelessness.
• Reporting any concerns, you may have to your base site coordinator or count coordinator.
• Directing any questions/uncertainties you have to your count coordinator.
• Asking the survey questions.
• Staying with your count partner.
You are not responsible for:

• Responding to someone on the street’s concerns or comments.
• Providing answers to questions about housing or services from someone on the street.
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• Responding to panhandling requests.
• Finding someone a place to stay.
• Going somewhere with someone being counted (perhaps to show you where/how they
are living).
• Venturing off of your “specified street route”; or going solo.
• Providing personal opinions about issues raised by the person being counted (you can
listen to what they say).
Legal:
In further consideration of being permitted to participate as a volunteer in the 2019
Homeless Count, I agree with the following:
1. I will immediately report to the coordinators (Jacqui Tucker or Marja Burrows) any
injury or loss I may suffer or experience during my 2019 Homeless Count related volunteer
activities;
2. Without any further consideration of compensation to me of any kind, I agree that

photographs or other recordings may be taken of me participating in the 2019 Homeless
Count and the City of Terrace may make use of and publish all such photos and recordings
in any way it may wish for non-commercial purposes, in recording or publishing
information about or publicizing the 2019 Homeless Count.
3. If anyone, including any reporter or other member of the Media approaches and
attempts to talk to me or photograph me or in any other way record me while I am carrying
out any 2019 Homeless Count related activities, I will decline to say anything to any such
persons that might disclose any personal information of anyone the 2019 Homeless Count
seeks to include and I will immediately discontinue my 2019 Homeless Count related
activities and move away from any homeless persons I am interviewing so as to protect
their privacy.
4. Upon completion of the 2019 Homeless Count I will, deliver to the 2019 Homeless Count
Coordinator all survey documents, completed and incomplete, including all location
information coming into my possession in the 2019 Homeless Count.
5. I will not at any time before, during or after my participation in the 2019 Homeless Count
disclose to anyone any information I have in any way obtained in relation thereto.
6. I hereby release the City of Terrace, Coast Mountain College, all its officials, officers,
employees and agents from any liability for any loss, injury, damage or expense that I may
suffer, incur or experience in connection with my participation in the 2018 Homeless
Count.
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2019 Terrace Homeless Count Volunteer Registration
Thank you for volunteering to be an enumerator for the 2019 Point in Time (PiT)
Homeless Count in Terrace, BC. This year's count will take place on Wednesday, April
18.
On April 8, 2019 we will be walking the streets of Terrace, BC to gather an accurate
count of people that are homeless. We are asking for a minimum of 12 hours of your
time. This time will include training on proper procedures, and the homeless count.
Name (First and Last):__________________________________________________________
Email
Address:_______________________________________________________________
Phone
Number:_______________________________________________________________
Agency You Work With (If Applicable):__________________________________________
Availability on April 8, 2019:_________________________________________________
Your Experience with People Who Are Homeless?:_________________________________
Have You Participated in Previous Homeless Counts? (Circle One): YES NO
Comments/Questions?:___________________________________________________ _______
Emergency Contact (Name and Relation to you):____________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Emergency Contact Phone
Number:______________________________________________
Signature:_________________________________________
Date:_____________________
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Appendix C:
Post Count Update for Mayor and Council
Dear Mayor and Council,
I am writing to provide you with a preliminary and cursory update regarding the 201 9 Homeless
Count conducted on 8th 2019 by the Social Service Work Dept. and social service worker students
from Coast Mountain College. A full report will be submitted for your consideration at a later date.
As per all point in time counts, the following numbers indicate a base-line threshold ascertained
over a 24hour period. The following numbers do not include those community members
considered "hidden homeless".
Curated key data points are as follows:

A) Total number of respondents = n82
Total number of respondents screened in as homeless =n71
Number of Male respondents = n43 or 61%
Number of Female respondents = n26 or 38%
Number of Transgendered/other= n1 or 1%
No answer = n1
B) Number of Sheltered Homeless = n22 or 31%
Number of Unsheltered/Street Homeless = n49 or 69%
C) Number of years lived in Terrace:
Less than 1 year = n11or 20%
More than one year = n45 or 80%
Of those respondents who have lived in Terrace more than 1 year in Terrace, 61% have
been in Terrace 10 years or more.
The final report will present the findings from 200+ data points gathered from those who were
screened into the 2019 Homeless count survey. Please feel free to contact me with questions or
concerns.
Sincerely,
Jacqueline Tucker, MSW, RSW
Social Service Work Dept. Coast Mountain College
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Appendix D- Example of Survey Tool
35
36
Appendix D
City of Terrace Homeless Count 2019:
An overview and call to action
Tiana Walker, Corbin Bright
Coast Mountain College- Terrace, B.C.
Social Service Worker Program- Jacqui Tucker
37
City of Terrace Homeless Count 2019:
An overview and call to action
Homelessness is a major health concern across North America, and the extent to which
rural homelessness is experienced is simply unknown as the ubiquitous nature of homelessness,
and the lack of accurate tracking processes in Canada, create large populations of missed and
hidden homeless. Up until recently, Canadian government has not attempted a coordinated, or
consistent, effort in calculating the actual number of individuals living in homelessness and has
had to depend on unreliable estimates. These same estimates suggest that a minimum of 35,000
Canadians experience homelessness on a given night in Canada (Canadian Observatory on
Homelessness, 2018, para 4). However, due to the large number of hidden homeless, this
estimate could be more accurately reported as up to 50,000 (Canadian Observatory on
Homelessness, 2018, para 8), and in fact, the Homelessness Partnering Secretariat (HPS)
suggests that numbers of Canadians who are experiencing homelessness range between 150,000,
and could be as high as 300,000 people, in a given year (Canadian Observatory on
Homelessness, 2018, para 1).
Part of the discrepancy is due to the fact that many individuals living in homelessness
remain largely unseen and in fact, are referred to as invisible because they have an “experience
of being obscured from public view” (May, 2015, p. 491). This mutually reinforcing cycle of;
individuals living in homelessness and being invisible to the public eye, not being counted by
potential tracking processes due to being hidden, and then remaining invisible due to the lack of
supports in place because they were missed by data collectors, causes policy makers to create
38
unhelpful policies based on inaccurate statistics that continue to perpetuate this hidden homeless
cycle (May, 2015, p. 491).
A report released in 2013 by the Government of Canada (The National Shelter Study:
Emergency Shelter Use in Canada, 2005-2009, as cited by Canadian Observatory on
Homelessness, 2018, para 2) was the first report of its kind that allowed Canadian researchers to
view reliable data, informing them of an accurate national estimate of over 250,000 Canadians
living in homelessness. Following the 2013 National Shelter Study, a second report was released
in 2016 stating that based on the number of individuals who are housed with friends or family,
and those who did not come in contact with surveyors due to the hidden homeless cycle, this
number is once again much higher. (Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, 2018, para 3).
The nature of invisible homelessness is not the only limit to action regarding
homelessness, but the way we define homelessness can be a barrier. Definitions have an
important position in our society and can produce an ability to understand the world around us.
If something is defined incompletely, either through lack of knowledge or avoidance, an
understanding and an awareness gap is created. Homelessness is not simply the state of being
without a home.Iit is a harsh reality with many variables in which individuals and families
experience, and is defined by Gaetz et al. (2012) as, “The situation of an individual or family
without stable, permanent, appropriate housing, or the immediate prospect, means and ability of
acquiring it” (para 1). Gaetz et al. suggests this is a result of systemic and societal barriers (para
1). The lack of appropriate and supportive housing for those made vulnerable by financial,
mental, behavioural, or physical challenges are susceptible to becoming homeless and, in fact, an
Ipsos Reid poll executed in March of 2013 suggested that over 1 million Canadians are
39
experiencing homelessness or are living so precariously they may lose housing within 5 years of
the poll date (para 3).
Of over 14,000 emergency shelters, there are approximately 15,467 shelter beds
available, and occupancy rates are rising in Canada. In 2014, shelters across Canada reported
occupancy rates had increased from 82% capacity to as high as 92% capacity (Canadian
Observatory on Homelessness, 2018, para 5), and of these beds, 44% were specifically for
women and children fleeing violence. Some rural locations experiencing higher than 100%
capacity (No name, personal communication, 2019). This data means that for every 100 sheltered
persons there are between 20-30 who are unsheltered (Canadian Observatory on Homelessness,
2018, para 6). Some reports show the typical length of stay in a homeless shelter is 50 days, and
less than 30% of people will access shelters for one night only (Canadian Observatory on
Homelessness, 2018, para 9). An Ipsos Reid poll executed in March of 2013 suggested over 1
million Canadians are experiencing homelessness or are living so precariously they may lose
housing within 5 years of the poll date (para 3).
Schiff and Brunger (2015) state while there are systems in place to respond to
homelessness, there remains a scarcity of research regarding the issues pertaining to
homelessness in the northern Canadian areas (p. 1). These gaps in research and knowledge create
many barriers for those experiencing homelessness, and for those who work in social fields
which attempt to assist the same vulnerable individuals. Schiff et. al (2015) has been able to
identify a gap in knowledge specific to rural homelessness, and states much Canadian research to
date has been from an urban standpoint. May (2015) suggests that perspectives like these may
be causing many communities to be completely unaware of the population of people who are
living without homes (p. 489).
40
This article will first discuss what, in part, contributes to homelessness. Next, the article
will touch on the aspect which stigma plays in a community. This article will also look at the
need for further research regarding actual categories of people, such as woman and youth and
Aboriginal peoples and how they may be (over)represented in the experience of homelessness.
As well, the article will provide a glimpse at the rural/urban difference. Finally, the article will
close with a call-to-action and short discussion of the research. Information for research was
gathered through the Coast Mountain College’s library by using the database, EBSCOhost.
Many keywords were utilized in the search for credible information such as homelessness, rural,
Canada, British Columbia. All information collected was from peer reviewed articles and
journals, as well as websites specific to the topic of homelessness.
It has been shown by researchers, such as, Dashora, Kairas and Richter (2018) that
individuals living in rural homelessness have greater difficulty accessing support services than
those living in urban areas (p. 134). This may be due to the fact that boom-and-bust towns have
considerable limitations on data collection, as research is generally underdeveloped (Edwards et
al., 2009, p. 332) causing a severe impact on housing costs in rural communities, stacked with
the fact that incomes are reportedly lower in rural and remote communities and rent and food
costs are significantly higher (Wagemakers-Schiff et al., 2015, p. 92). In many cases, the
systems in place have created a recipe for disaster. When compared to individuals living in stable
housing, people living in transiency are reported to have higher prevalence of physical and
mental health concerns, and are overall in poorer health (To et al., 2016, p. 1). This paper argues
that Canada is well aware of the knowledge deficit and lack of effective, long term supports in
place to negate the effects of homelessness and poverty but continues to enact policies that
perpetuate a destructive social system.
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Factors
Although definitions are effective for the ability to understand homelessness, the
experience of seeing, interacting and acknowledging the issue is perhaps more important than the
definition itself. Dashora, Kiaras and Richter (2018) are critical when citing Kovacs, Burns and
Richter (2010), who state entities which hold authority in our society may desire to remedy the
matter of homelessness, but the connectedness between the varying entities is lacking (p. 134).
Connection on all fronts is important in both defining what constitutes homelessness in a
community, and how a community will respond to such issues. Schiff and Brunger (2015)
reiterate this necessity, explaining there are many nuances to the matter of homelessness, and
distinct care is required for individuals experiencing homeless situations, as such, much
solidarity is required between structures in our society (as cited in Christensen, 2012, p. 3).
Many factors contributing to the risk and experience of homelessness are multi-
dimensional in nature and cannot be summed up with the idea that an individual is responsible
for their own situation. To truly address the systemic issues of homelessness, a community must
know its own structures and identify barriers within those structures. Just as one individual is
different from another, so is their situation and everything that contributes to their unique
circumstances. Homelessness is multi-faceted, and cannot be blanketly understood, but each
demographic has common and unique influencers.
Cost of Living
Among the commonalities, cost of living may be one that is all-encompassing. As cost of
living impacts every person in our society, it is one that has a great effect on individuals and
families within the low-income/poverty margin. As such, as costs of living increases, so too
does the importance of acknowledging and recognizing individuals and, particularly families,
42
who are paying over half of their income on housing alone (Moore & Skaburskis, 2004, p. 399).
Similarly, Schiff et. al (2015) cite multiple sources (Glass, 2002; Goodfellow, 1999; Robertson
& White, 2007; Schiff et. al, 2012), each of which indicate people experiencing homelessness in
some form, and individuals at risk, such as those in extreme low-income, are paying higher than
a third, and up to half of their income on housing (p. 92).
Substance Use
Homelessness is linked to numerous health problems including mental health concerns
and substance abuse (Linden et. al, 2014, p. 103), and in fact, individuals living in homelessness
can experience higher rates of mortality and have significantly higher rates of concurrent
disorders than those who are not living in homelessness (Linden et al., 2014, p. 103). However,
these public health concerns are not limited to urban cities, and in fact, research (Linden et al.,
2014, p. 111) shows substance use is even more prevalent in rural communities. In these same
rural communities, the heterogeneity is shown in populations of people who are homeless as
different patterns of substance use, and the overrepresentation of males and Aboriginals who are
living in homelessness are quite evident. North and Smith (1993) show that one of the reasons
males outnumber females is because men are more likely to experience higher rates of
addictions, have histories of incarceration, and be homeless for longer periods of time (as cited in
Linden et al., 2014, p. 103). Studies show patterns of frequent substance use across major
Canadian cities, including alcohol, cannabis, and cocaine (Linden et al., 2014, p. 109). Along
with an individual’s addiction, comes the view and opinion of a community, which can have a
freeze effect on the lives of the individual of focus.
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Stigma
The factor which has the ability of perpetuating a circumstance like homelessness is
stigma. Stigma is attitude driven and allows for a community to label a group of individuals in
an improper, inaccurate manner. Zerger et. al (2014) observed, in a study which included 231
individuals, how among those participants, 61.5% experienced “perceived discrimination due to
homelessness or poverty…”. Zerger et. al also note among those who experienced such
discrimination on account of homelessness, also experienced lower income compared to
individuals that did not account for such experiences (p. 8). This alludes to the perpetuating
nature of stigmatization of individuals who experience homelessness. A strong, negative stigma
placed on individuals who are experiencing homelessness encourages more of a hidden homeless
community (Glass, 2002, as cited in Schiff et. al, 2015, p. 90). How will stigma be combatted in
Terrace? Researchers Kauppi et al. (2012) suggest mental health and substance use disorders are
driving factors in homelessness (as cited in Wagemakers-Schiff et al., 2018, p. 92). Another
contributing factor to rural homelessness may be the small town itself. Small towns are not
known for their clandestine behaviour, and often when an individual is struggling with mental
health or substance abuse issues, the community is also aware, thus, becoming known to
potential landlords as problematic tenants (Wagemakers-Schiff et al., 2015, p. 90). Once a
stigma is set in place, it is very difficult to bring about a healthy understanding between
individuals and those that are under the stigma.
Different Groups
There are many different groups of people researchers could observe regarding the rate of
homelessness, and many have had numerous studies produced. In this next section, the research
compiled is more accurately described as at a glance and not a comprehensive view of each
44
group. All groups within society experience homelessness and those being presented in this
paper can be a focus of study in of itself.
Women and Youth
As a result of homelessness, stigmatization instills uncertainty in women to utilize
shelters as fears of their children being taken from them or fear of harm coming to their children
(Rabinovitch, Pauly, & Zhao, 2016, p. 991). The utilization of shelters can stem from many
reasons. Reid, Berman and Forchuk (2005), cite multiple sources stating, “For homeless girls
and young women, violence is often an integral part of their family history and current reality
(Kipke, Simon, Montgomery,Unger & Iversen, 1997; Novac et al., 2002)" (p. 239).
Of the Canadian population, youth cohorts experiencing homelessness are among the
most vulnerable. The situation they must endure may be filled with confusion. A common
argument on homelessness is individuals should better their situation. The idea that individuals
are responsible for their position and standing in society, can be argued in the context of youths
that experience homelessness in some form, is highly influenced by many factors which are
outside of their responsibility and ability. Naturally, youth grow into adults, and their situation
rarely changes; their experience is already set in place at a young age. In order to truly address
youth homelessness, we must understand what contributes to such a situation. Karabanow
(2004) and Kidd (2006) as cited in Kidd et. al (2016), pinpoint somedominant reasons why youth
may experience homelessness. Among the top indicators is maltreatment. Bearsley-Smith et. al
(2008) reiterate this matter, stating how homelessness occurs among youth is likely initiated and
intensified in their home setting (p. 227). Various factors can contribute to this home setting, as
Saddhichha, Linden and Krausz (2014) observed high rates of varying kinds of maltreatment
towards youth (p. 203). An important facet Saddichha, Linden and Krausz (2014) indicate is that
45
homelessness does not affect one demographic, but intersects within multiple points of society
such as, sex of the individual, age and health, both physical and mental (p. 201). Similarly,
Anderson (2001), as cited in Christensen (2013), states the experience of homelessness
encompasses many avenues (p. 807).
Roy et. al (2016) state individuals who are young “experience major residential
transitions over relatively short time periods, alternating between lack of any housing, extremely
precarious housing, and stable and autonomous housing” (p. 1). The experience of the youth of
our society is highly affected by home and societal influencers.
Aboriginal
A common theme throughout the research of homelessness in Canada reveals the
overrepresentation of Aboriginal people among individuals who are homeless. Aboriginal
people are often overrepresented in statistics documenting homelessness and it has been
suggested understanding the differences between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal homelessness
may lead to a better understanding. For example, researchers (First, Rife, & Tommey, 1994, as
cited in Linden et al., 2015, p. 103) state between 70-80% of the Aboriginal homeless population
are male. Over representation of certain people groups indicates more must be done to address
more systemic issues. Many sources state, in comparison to the rest of Canada, Aboriginal
peoples have higher rates of homelessness no matter the location (Kauppi, Gasparini, and
Pallard, 2009; Letkemann, 2004, as cited in Kauppi et. al, 2015, p. 2).
Location
Vancouver
The federal government stated they plan to fund the development of three projects that
will create affordable housing units and increase the number of shelter beds, alleviating some of
46
the pressure on local emergency shelters (The Canadian Press, 2019, para 2), however no date
was mentioned as to when this will start. Once completed, the housing projects should provide
upwards of 600 mobile units, that can be relocated across the city as needed (The Canadian
Press, 2019, para 3). The federal government states the funding will also help with the
redevelopment of a center helping women who are recovering from addictions (The Canadian
Press, 2019, para 4).
Terrace/NW Region/Rural
Living in rural regions poses its own unique challenges. Looking out of a window in
urban Victoria, is not the same as looking out a window in northern British Columbia. Forchuk
et. al (2010), Schiff and Brunger (2015) as cited in Dashora, Kiaras and Richter (2018), explain
there is growth in information on vagrancy in urban Canada, while works on the issue remain
deficient in rural Canada (p. 133-134). Schiff et. al (2015) show a consequential relationship
between a lack of services in rural communities and the ability to obtain accurate numbers and
information in counting individuals who are facing homelessness. The city of Terrace’s
homeless count is an important step towards maintaining a consistent glimpse into the nature and
prevalent issue of homelessness.
Calls to actions
The fact that most shelter users use shelters in times of crisis, suggests they are doing so
temporarily. Emergency solutions such as rental assistance programs and crisis grants can bridge
income and housing gaps, and for those experiencing episodic or chronic homelessness, longer-
term, and more permanent solutions are needed. Solutions suggested by researchers Rabinovitch,
Pauly, and Zhoa (2016), are more affordable housing options, increases in income to meet the
needs of the individual who is struggling to earn adequate money, and access to mobile mental
47
health units (p. 995). Policies must include regular data collection, including the collection of
background information relevant to the individual who is homeless, to accurately reflect the
needs of individuals who are living in homelessness, as well as the policies themselves should be
flexible to meet the unique needs of the people.
The Point-in-Time count allows data collectors to more accurately enumerate people
living in homelessness on a given night by deploying trained surveyors to canvas city streets
asking anyone who may want to participate in answering a questionnaire. The surveyors also
collect data from locations such as emergency shelters, transition homes, police stations, and
hospitals. All data collected is, and remains, anonymous.
CONCLUSION
As explored in this paper, homelessness is not a simple issue, and more needs to be done
to both address current homelessness experiences and future homelessness experiences.
Certainly, more research is needed, not just for a basic understanding of homelessness, but for
more clarity in how to eradicate it. Cities must be an active support and contributor to ways that
may bring individuals and families out of homelessness. By regularly endorsing demographic
checks such as with the Homeless Count, a city can view its own stance and actions, current and
future, in order to better the lives of those experiencing homelessness whether they are visible or
not. What has become clear regarding the Homeless Count, is there is no way to determine
precisely how many individuals are experiencing homelessness. The count itself is only a small
step into the work that needs to be done, as it does not provide cities with a minimum nor
maximum number regarding individuals who do not have shelter.
There are many roads to homelessness, and individuals cannot be lumped into a singular
identifier, such as, “the homeless”. Their situations are unique, and the services found in Terrace
48
can be of great assistance in identifying the needs of individuals. Many factors contributing to
the risk and experience of homelessness are multi-dimensional in nature and cannot be summed
up with the idea that an individual is responsible for their own situation. To truly address the
systemic issues of homelessness, a community must know its own structures and identify barriers
within those structures. Just as one individual is different from another, so is their situation and
everything that contributes to their unique circumstances.
49
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53

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2019 CITY OF TERRACE Point-in-Time

In particular we would like to thank:

Ksan Society- Amanda Bains, Sabrina O’Connor, and Cheryl Gray

Kermode Friendship Society

Terrace and District Community Services

Terrace Detachment- RCMP

Dustin Lupick - Homelessness Services Association of BC- Research and Policy

Celine Maboules – Homelessness Services Association of BC- Executive

City of Terrace Staff, Mayor and Councillors

Number of People Experiencing Homelessness in Terrace.

People of First Nations Ancestry Over-Represented.

People who are Homeless in Terrace are citizens of Terrace.

Men Continue to Be the Majority of People Counted.

Reason for Housing Loss.

Barriers to Finding Housing.

Patterns of Service Use.

Health of People Experiencing Homelessness.

Planning Map of Terrace, B.C., utilized for 2019 Homeless Count.

1. The Number of People Experiencing Homelessness in the City of Terrace 13

1.1. Total Population Experiencing Homelessness Included in the Count 14

1.1.2. Trend: Past to Present 14

2. Profile of People Experiencing Homelessness in Terrace in 2019 15

2.2. Trend re: Gender 15

2.3. Age Groups 15

2.4. Indigenous Identity 16

2.4.1 Metro Vancouver Homeless Count Comparison 16

2.5. Length of Time Homeless 16

2.6. Length of Time in Terrace 17

2.7. Community of Origin 17

2.8. Health Conditions 18

2.9. Main Sources of Income 19

2.10. Reasons for Housing Loss 19

2.11. Barriers to Finding Housing 20

2.12. Patterns of Service Use 21

2.14. Age First Time Homeless 22

3.3. Point in Time Counts 24

3.4 Benefits of Point-in-Time Counts 24

3.6.1. Lack of Willingness to Participate 25

3.6.2. The Weather 26

3.6.4. Geography of Terrace 26

3.6.5. Length of Survey 26

Appendix A: Safety Plan 29

Appendix B: Volunteer Registration 31

Appendix C: Post Count Update for Mayor and Council 34

Appendix D: Example of Survey Tool 35

Appendix E: Corbin Bright & Tiana Walker – Student Paper 37

Homelessness: Homelessness describes the situation of an individual, family or

Seniors: Individuals aged 55 and older.

Shelters: Includes shelters (temporary nightly shelters, extreme weather response

There is a spectrum of conditions contributing to homelessness, and factors such as the

The Challenging Task of Estimating Homelessness

1) Visible Homeless: The “point in time”

2) Hidden Homeless: Not included in this

1.1. Total Population Experiencing Homelessness Included in the Count

Table 1: Sheltered or Unsheltered

Transition House 10 14%

1.1.2. Trend: Past to Present

Table 2: Sheltered or Unsheltered: Year over Year Trends

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Average 2019 2019

2.2. Trend re: Gender