The Comox Valley Point in Time homelessness count is taking place this Friday.
A PiT Count is a one-day snapshot of housing challenges in the community. Volunteers and service providers survey individuals facing housing instability to collect data on demographics, health, and housing needs.
In British Columbia, PiT Counts are one of the only data sources capturing all living situations鈥攙isible, hidden, and at risk. This data helps identify service gaps, inform policies, guide funding decisions, and improve housing and support services.
Volunteers will be conducting surveys in shelters on the evening of March 6, and there will be community in-person surveys available at a number of locations across the Valley on March 7. Volunteers will also have walking routes, and will have outreach teams working with different organizations in the valley.
The organizers are still looking for a few volunteers, including shifts at the Comox Valley Sports Centre, Lewis Centre and Connect Centre. To sign up to volunteer, visit .
People who are living in a vehicle, staying with friends or without a stable place to rent can call 250 886 0470 on March 7 to take part in the confidential survey. The survey will take about five minutes to complete. People can also visit the Courtenay Library on March 7 between 12:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to complete the survey. The call in and in-person surveys are only available on Friday, March 7.
By participating, people can help identify the need for housing and gaps in services. The count also raises awareness about the barriers people face in securing safe and stable housing, provides data that informs government decisions, ensures youth and hidden housing challenges are counted, and captures a full picture to improve support systems.
