Winnipeg Reports Record High of Homelessness in Latest Census

An alarming report from End Homelessness Winnipeg indicates that the city has reached a record high in homelessness, with **2,469 individuals** counted in a single-day census conducted in November 2024. This figure represents a **51% increase** from the previous count of **1,256** individuals recorded in 2022. The results, part of an ongoing initiative to monitor homelessness in the area, highlight the growing crisis affecting the city.

Over the course of one week, several hundred outreach workers surveyed encampments across Winnipeg, gathering data on the unhoused population and collaborating with various organizations to ensure accuracy. The census, which began on **November 5**, is the first of its kind to incorporate an expanded reach beyond the city center, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of homelessness in the region.

Demographics and Background of the Homeless Population

The report reveals significant details about the demographics of the homeless individuals surveyed. The average age of respondents is **41**, with many first experiencing homelessness at age **18**. Notably, over **25%** are aged **50 or older**, and more than half have been homeless for over six months in the past year. Indigenous individuals are disproportionately represented, with **63%** identifying as First Nations and **15%** as Métis.

Additionally, nearly half of those surveyed reported having been involved in the child welfare system during their youth. The increase in homelessness among newcomers to Canada is also striking; while only **2%** of individuals surveyed in 2022 were immigrants, **13%** of the 2024 respondents identified as newcomers, with over half of them being refugees.

Challenges Faced by the Unhoused Population

The census highlights a range of challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness. Many individuals reported difficulties related to substance use, mental health issues, mobility problems, and chronic medical conditions. These factors contribute to the complexity of the homelessness crisis and underscore the need for targeted interventions.

The provincial government, led by Housing, Addictions and Homelessness Minister **Bernadette Smith**, has pledged to tackle chronic homelessness by **2031**. As part of this commitment, the **Your Way Home** strategy, introduced in January, has helped transition **59** individuals from encampments into social housing as of July 2024. Despite these efforts, approximately **700 Manitobans** continue to live in encampments across the city.

The latest census marks the fourth iteration of this project, which has been funded by the federal government since its inception. Previous counts reported **1,400** homeless individuals in **2015**, **1,519** in **2018**, and **1,127** in **2021**. The sharp increase in numbers this year reflects both the ongoing challenges posed by systemic inequality and the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address homelessness in Winnipeg.

As the full report is set to be released on **Thursday**, the findings are expected to inform government policy and community initiatives aimed at combating homelessness in the region. The data gathered will serve as a critical tool for advocates and policymakers alike, emphasizing the necessity for action in the face of this escalating crisis.