‘You’re not going to find them all’: Windsor homeless advocate casts doubt over 2024 Point-in-Time homeless street count

As Windsor-Essex conducts its 2024 Point in Time (PiT) homeless street count, Christine Wilson-Furlonger, administrator of Windsor’s Street Help homeless center, expressed doubts about the accuracy of the count, believing the true number of homeless people in the city is significantly higher than reported.

She estimates there are at least 3,000 people experiencing homelessness, with many living in “hidden homelessness,” such as overcrowded apartments or encampments that have been dismantled. She argued that the count often misses these individuals, who may avoid being seen due to previous evictions or fear of being found.

This PiT count, the fourth of its kind in Windsor, aims to better understand homelessness by surveying those affected and identifying their challenges, including how long they’ve been homeless and their need for services. Windsor’s manager of homelessness and housing support, Kelly Goz, acknowledged the rising numbers of homelessness and hoped the count would provide data to secure more funding and support.

Goz emphasized the need for comprehensive services, including rehabilitation programs, to address the root causes of homelessness. The results from this count will be presented to the city council to guide future policies and support efforts to combat homelessness effectively.

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