Report: 454 people in Lethbridge experiencing homelessness

Of those, 327 experienced “absolute homelessness” and were either completely unsheltered (235) or staying in emergency shelters (92).

A total of 127 were “provisionally accommodated”, meaning they were staying in transitional housing (52), someone else’s home (19), or an institutional setting (56) such as a correctional facility, addictions treatment centre, or a hospital.

Approximately 53% of people in the 2022 count identified as male, 35% were female, 11% were “unknown,” and 0.5% said they were transgender or gender diverse.

Among the 348 individuals who provided their age, a total of 176 (50.6%) reported being between the ages of 25 and 44.

A total of 24 people (6.9%) surveyed were under the age of 18.

Of those who were unsheltered, 72% identified as Indigenous, 14% were Caucasian, and 14% had unidentified ethnic origins. Approximately 41% of those who were sheltered said they were Caucasian, 36% were Indigenous, 19% were unknown, and two percent fell into “other” categories.

The five most common reasons for experiencing a loss of housing were substance use, not having enough income, eviction, conflict with a spouse or partner, and having had experiences with unfit or unsafe housing conditions.

PiT Coordinator for the City of Lethbridge, Erin Mason says this year’s total of 454 individuals represents an increase from the 223 who were identified in the 2018 survey.

“The 2022 count has found at least twice as many individuals experiencing homelessness with a large increase in those living rough and not accessing shelter resources,” says Mason. “This demonstrates a great need for more affordable and supportive housing and services to support the system of care for vulnerable individuals.”

According to a news release from the City of Lethbridge, data was collected from local social service organizations and shelters, including:

Streets Alive Mission
Alpha House Shelter and Stabilization Centre
YWCA Lethbridge and District
Wood’s Homes
Canadian Mental Health Association – Alberta South Region,
Southern Alberta Self-Help Association (SASHA)
Blackfoot Family Lodge
Fresh Start Recovery Centre
Southern Alcare Manor
Lethbridge Police Services

Provincial data was also collected from:

Alberta Health Services (AHS)
Justice and Solicitor General’s office
Alberta Community and Social Services (for individuals staying in hotels/motels sponsored by Alberta Works or AISH).

Takara Motz, Acting General Manager of Community Social Development with the City of Lethbridge, says the findings of the PiT Count build on the findings of the Community Wellbeing and Safety Strategy (CWSS), which highlights access to affordable and social housing as a top priority.

“The City of Lethbridge continues to advocate and implement increased supports under the CWSS for those experiencing homelessness in our community,” says Mots.

Lethbridge was one of more than 65 communities nationally and seven in Alberta that coordinated PiT Counts this year. Counts were also conducted in Calgary, Grande Prairie, Edmonton, Medicine Hat, Red Deer, and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.

The full PiT Count report can be found on the City of Lethbridge website.

by David Opinko

Report: 454 people in Lethbridge experiencing homelessness

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