The 2022 homeless count has been reported to the Terrace City Council.

Conducted by the Ksan Society, the annual homeless count was completed in April, and was reported to the council on Monday by Lisa Schmidt.

84 people were reported as being homeless, with 30 being considered sheltered, and 54 being unsheltered. 

Average age of respondents was placed at 41.6 years, with 33 per cent between the ages of 30 and 39: the youngest being 15, and the oldest being 89.

79 per cent of people surveyed identified as Indigenous, meaning there are 3.5 times more homeless Indigenous people in the community. When asked about their health conditions, 75 per cent said they struggle with addiction, and 52 per cent said they struggle with mental health issues.

Substance use was the leading cause for housing loss reported by 28 percent of respondents, 25 percent said they did not have adequate income.     

During the presentation, Coun. Sean Bujtas asked about why the numbers seemed lower than what residents may have expected. Amanda Owens, another Ksan representative, explained that many individuals who are unsheltered had been pushed outside city limits where the survey does not reach. 

However, Ksan is hoping to work with the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine to expand their survey range to include areas like Thornhill and Queensway so that data in future reports will be more accurate.

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