MOOSE JAW POINT-IN-TIME (PIT) COUNT 2024 REPORT

 

The official 2024 Point in Time Count (PiT) results for Moose Jaw with demographics of those experiencing homelessness here in our city. There are some really interesting details in here, that are very revealing and useful to guide us in our services we provide to the community. 

 

This is the first Moose Jaw PiT Count that Square One and its partners collaborated with Metis Nation to conduct. The Metis Nation of Saskatchewan is  the Reaching Home entity for Rural and Remote Saskatchewan. Square One conducted an independent PiT Count using similar protocols in 2023. 

 

The number 76, is those actually surveyed and confirmed as experiencing homelessness. It is very important to also take into consideration the observed number not indicated in the certified findings; they only take into account the submitted surveys. 

 

We had an additional 44 distinct individuals who refused to be surveyed, were incapacitated, or sleeping that were “observed” as showing all the hallmarks of experiencing homelessness by trained surveyors. 

 

As a rule of thumb we like to estimate the actual findings could be approximately 25% higher for those we couldn’t reach, or were invisible to us on survey day.

 

With this in mind these are the following results:

 

2024: 76 (Surveyed) + 44 (Observed) + 30 (Invisible) = 76-120-150 

 

2023:  26 (Surveyed) + 32 (Observed) + 15 (Invisible) = 26-58-73

 

Some significant increases. A Tripling in those surveyed, and a doubling of the total including observed and invisible. Some other notable details in the report were just how early in life many experienced homelessness for the first time,  and the number of people experiencing homelessness who are still caring for dependents. Clearly homelessness in Moose Jaw is disproportionately affecting our youth, and in many cases family units as a whole.

 

I am very hopeful that with all of the hard work we are all putting in to change this trajectory, we will see a downward trend in future years.

 

Thank you to everyone who participated to make this data possible, we appreciate you, and your community appreciates you. 

 

Let me know if you have any questions!

 

Maxton Eckstein

General Manager

Square One Community