Survey counts 286 people without homes in Regina

Over the next few months, more information will be released about Regina’s homeless population, but there is a picture starting to form.

Early statistics show 286 people surveyed on April 18, didn’t have homes to go to.

The Point-In-Time count is part of a larger movement across Canada. This was Regina’s second count.

More than 230 people volunteered their time to walk around the Queen City, asking anyone if they would be willing to participate in the survey. Of those survey results, 172 people used emergency shelters or transitional housing facilities to lay their heads at night.

Incredible! 230 people signed up to volunteer! #yqr #yqrpjtcount pic.twitter.com/yLnilmpdrY

— Jessika Guse (@JessikaGuse) April 19, 2018

Eighty-six people couch surfed or stayed with a friend or family member without having a permanent home to go home to. Only six people said they used a public space and a tent or a makeshift home to sleep.

There were 18 people who said they didn’t know where they were going to be sleeping that night, and four others said they would be staying overnight in some sort of public system like a jail, hospital or detox centre.

Later in the year, more information including specific demographic and logistical data will be released.