Square One Community Inc. Moose Jaw will be taking to the streets to understand further exactly how many people are without a permanent home within the city. 

The non-profit organization announced earlier this week they will be performing a Point-in-Time (PiT) Homeless Count on August 26.  

It will be led by PiT co-ordinator Desiree LaLonde with the assistance of volunteers from the community. The organization will be using a model that is standardized across many major cities within Canada.  

“Our PiT Count will provide a “snapshot” of homelessness in Moose Jaw,” said LaLonde in a media release. “It will indicate the minimum number of people experiencing homelessness in our community.” 

Groups will divide and conquer Moose Jaw by taking counts and conducting surveys on willing individuals who are staying in shelters, without shelter, and those with provisional accommodations.  

“Other forms of homelessness, such as staying temporarily with friends (provisionally accommodated), are not typically included in a PiT Count. However, thanks to the work and support of Dr. Isobel M. Findlay from the Community-University Institute for Social Research (CUISR) and his team, our count will include those with provisional accommodations,” adds LaLonde. 

The hope is by conducting the PiT count, Square One will be able to further understand the needs and circumstances of the unhoused population. The surveys conducted will provide data on gender, age, ethnicity, veteran status, etc. 

In addition, there will be a community survey to establish the general population’s understanding of homelessness within Moose Jaw and input on what the next steps are.  

The results of the PiT count will be made available to the public and Square One will use the results to improve their response to homelessness.  

Those that are interested in volunteering can email LaLonde at mjpitcount@gmail.com or call 306-630-2702.  

Square One Moose Jaw was born in 2021 by the COVID-19 Response Committee, recognizing that housing stability was a pressing issue.