Collaboration in data collection: A starting point for addressing homelessness in Northern Ontario

The World Health Organization has stated that poverty is the single largest determinant of health. While the average life expectancy for Canadians is 77 to 82 years, it is only 34 to 47 for a homeless person. Housing is a basic human right, yet for many people in Ontario, adequate housing is out of their reach.

The Point in Time count (PiT count) is a data collection method that gathers essential information on individuals experiencing homelessness. In Thunder Bay, this data has informed the development of services and resources that aim both to end homelessness and to respond to the social determinants of health of homeless individuals.

In this webinar, Bonnie Krysowaty, researcher at the Lakehead Social Planning Council, describes the collective impact of the Thunder Bay and District-wide PiT count. Bonnie:

- provides an overview of the local Point in Time count data collection processes and partnerships

- describes key findings on the housing and health needs of people experiencing homelessness

- discusses actions organizations can take for moving forward on homelessness and health.