The City of Red Deer and the Red Deer & District Community Foundation (RDDCF) in association with Everyone’s Home have engaged OrgCode Consulting, Inc. to conduct Red Deer’s first Point in Time (PIT) Homeless Count on Oct. 16.
Volunteer Surveyors are currently being recruited to conduct surveys throughout Red Deer.
Homeless counts are one of the ways that a community can determine the overall scope of homelessness and the sub-populations of people who are experiencing homelessness or who may be at risk of homelessness. The census will include people with no fixed address (NFA). These are individuals or families who may be temporarily sheltered in various institutions like hospitals, jails or emergency shelters.
Volunteers will gather information through surveys that are conducted face-to-face or through observation on Oct. 16 (approximately 7 p.m. to midnight).
The data will be analyzed and synthesized into an evidence-based ‘snapshot’ of homelessness in Red Deer and since this is Red Deer’s first homeless count, the data will provide a baseline for future counts that will be conducted every two years. Policy makers, service providers and funders will use the data to inform planning for programs, services and, of course, housing, to end homelessness in Red Deer.
A campaign has been launched to recruit approximately 100 Volunteer Surveyors — volunteers must be 18 years old and no experience is required. The first step is for volunteers to complete the registration form.
OrgCode will use email to provide volunteers with additional information regarding survey training and the location(s) in Red Deer where volunteers will be conducting the survey.
The contact for the Red Deer PIT Homeless Count is Dr. John Whitesell. He can be emailed at RedDeerCount2012@orgcode.com, called at 1-800-355-0420 ext. 1 or by fax (for sending hard copy volunteer form) at 1-416-352-1498.
-Weber
