Sign for the homeless shelter in Lethbridge. (Image Credit: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge records first drop in homelessness since 2014

Feb 20, 2026 | 8:52 AM

A new report reveals that progress has been made in addressing homelessness in Lethbridge.

The 2025 Point-in-Time (PiT) Count was conducted on Oct. 2, 2025, by volunteers from several local community groups.

The PiT Counts provides a snapshot of homelessness on a single night, and is aimed at supporting planning, evaluation and system coordination.

Between 6:00 and 10:00 p.m. on that night, volunteers counted 504 people who were experiencing homelessness, representing a decrease of just over three per cent compared to 2024.

Based on 2021 census data, this equates to approximately four people for every 1,000 residents.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

@lethbridgenewsnow Homelessness fell in Lethbridge for first time since 2014. Learn more at LethbridgeNewsNow.com #YQL #LNN #Lethbridge #Alberta #News ♬ original sound – Lethbridge News Now

Andrew Malcolm, G.M. of Community Social Development with the City of Lethbridge, says this is the first recorded drop in the local homelessness since counts began in 2014.

“After more than a decade of rising homelessness, seeing the first measurable decline is significant for our community,” says Malcolm. “This tells us that coordinated local efforts, targeted investments from all levels of government and strong partnerships across sectors are beginning to make an impact.”

Among those who were identified as experiencing homelessness, 54 per cent were utilizing shelter spaces, while 46 per cent were unsheltered.

A breakdown of homelessness in Lethbridge by housing status. (Image Credit: Point-in-Time Count)

The City has previously stated that a major component of its Encampment Strategy is referring unhoused people to services and programs that might assist them.

They said in June 2025 that, since outreach services were brought in-house at city hall, there had been a 263 per cent increase in outreach intakes and a 318 per cent rise in referrals.

READ MORE: Progress made two years after launching encampment strategy in Lethbridge, City says

The municipality now reports that there has also been a 252 per cent increase in people accessing treatment facilities.

Capacity at the adult emergency shelter rose from 129 beds to 355, a rise of 174 per cent. However, usage of the shelter was down by 22 per cent on the night of the count.

Utilization of support facilities for unhoused individuals in Lethbridge. (Image Credit: Point-in-Time Count.)

“These results show that investments in transitional housing, treatment access and coordinated outreach are shifting the system in the right direction,” Malcolm says. “At the same time, the data reminds us that capacity alone doesn’t guarantee uptake. We need to continue working collaboratively to address barriers and ensure people can access the supports they need.”

You can read the full report on the Point-in-Time Count here.