Point-In-Time Count on Homelessness – October 21, 2026
Medicine Hat Community Housing Society is again preparing to capture the current experience of homelessness in our community through its Point-In-Time (PiT) Count. This year’s Count is set for Wednesday, October 21.
The PiT Homeless Street Count and Survey is an annual initiative that provides an important snapshot of homelessness in our community by identifying individuals who are sleeping rough, accessing emergency shelters, in systems, and those in transitional housing during a 24-hour period. The information gathered helps us better understand the experiences and needs of people facing homelessness in Medicine Hat. By capturing this data, we can inform more effective programs, services, and strategies to support those most vulnerable.
Volunteers are an integral part of the PiT Count. Volunteers will be given specific routes throughout the city where homeless persons congregate and access services. Volunteers will talk with each individual they encounter and invite them to participate in a short survey.
To register as a volunteer, please contact Kerri Sandford at ksandford@mhchs.ca
Every person counts and every story matters.
The Point-in-Time (PiT) Count uses a consistent methodology and standardized survey questions to track local, provincial, and national trends in homelessness. Combined with other data, PiT Count findings help deepen our understanding of the state of homelessness locally and across the country. This data supports effective planning, program development, and service delivery to prevent and end homelessness and improve the coordinated system of care that serves vulnerable community members.