By Brian Schultz
Narrowing down the extent of the number of people living on Winnipeg streets is a task that volunteers will tackle on Wednesday.
The second Winnipeg Street Census will include 300 people from nearly 30 community-based organizations, as well as representatives from the City of Winnipeg, counting the number of homeless residents over a 24-hour period.
“Homelessness is not just a downtown phenomenon and we know that invisibility is a survival strategy for many,” said Christina Maes Nino of the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg.
“We are working hard to give even more people experiencing homelessness the opportunity to be heard. We couldn’t do this without the passion and dedication of volunteers and partner organizations.”
The census is helpful in identifying gaps and priorities, especially as community partners work to implement a 10-year plan to end homelessness in Winnipeg.
The first Winnipeg Street Census, conducted on October 25, 2015, found there were at least 1,400 people experiencing homelessness in Winnipeg.
