The official report on Hastings County’s 2025 point-in-time homelessness count was approved by council yesterday.
The count was carried out by county staff and community volunteers on Oct. 9.
In North Hastings, officials connected with a total of 44 people who were accessing services, 20 of whom were experiencing homelessness.
The majority of these individuals reported being unsheltered in a public or private space, encampment or vehicle.
County-wide, officials connected with a total of 242 people, and 187 were experiencing homelessness.
The numbers show a decrease in total homelessness from the 2024 point-in-time count, when 41 people were enumerated in North Hastings and 210 were enumerated county-wide.
After the 2024 point-in-time count, which also included the homelessness survey that happens every three years, five recommendations were made.
The county reports two of these recommendations, namely investing in youth homelessness prevention and improving integration of warming centres and emergency shelters through the Co-ordinated Access System, have been actioned.
Expanding supportive and transitional housing, enhancing Indigenous-led initiatives and advocating for rent supports are recommendations in progress.
The 2025 point-in-time count is part of the nationally-coordinated count, which communities are mandated to complete by the end of November.
