Organizers overseeing the point-in-time (PIT) homelessness count in Prince Albert anticipate an increase in this year’s figures due to a rise in homelessness overall and a new approach that involves including individuals residing in encampments. The 2025 PIT count revealed 279 individuals living on the streets in Prince Albert, marking a notable increase from the previous year. Jim Woodcock, Prince Albert’s community safety and wellbeing co-ordinator, highlighted the significance of this jump in numbers.
The annual enumeration, conducted over a 24-hour period, aims to provide a snapshot of the street-dwelling population but may not capture individuals couch surfing or staying with friends and relatives. River Bank Development Corporation is leading the survey efforts by mobilizing volunteers to assist in collecting data.
Volunteers, working in teams, will utilize a simple questionnaire to inquire about participants’ overnight sleeping arrangements. The survey will also account for observed homelessness instances, including individuals sleeping in public spaces like parks or alleys. Safety protocols are a top priority to ensure volunteers’ well-being during the enumeration process.
This year’s PIT survey will extend to encompass individuals living in homeless encampments within wooded areas across the city. Trained personnel from various organizations, including the City of Prince Albert’s bylaw team and outreach teams, will conduct this specialized survey.
The initiative to include encampment residents in the count follows safety concerns that led Saskatoon to cancel its in-person PIT count. Meanwhile, Regina successfully conducted its count on October 15.
Various local facilities, such as the Wellness Hub, YWCA and Prince Albert Grand Council shelters, hospitals, and detox units, will contribute data on individuals staying at their establishments. The enumeration is expected to reveal a more comprehensive picture of homelessness in the city, addressing previously unrecorded segments of the homeless population.
Woodcock noted a steady increase in homelessness in Prince Albert, attributing it to rising living costs and housing unaffordability exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Teegan Jeffers emphasized the nationwide trend of escalating homelessness due to housing affordability issues and shortages.
Efforts to combat homelessness include enhancing affordable and transitional housing options and implementing supportive programs like Homeward Bound. The city aims to secure continuous funding for initiatives connecting individuals with essential services.
The provincial Ministry of Social Services is backing the construction of a new 45-bed emergency shelter, scheduled for completion in 2028. Additional measures, such as the opening of a winter warming center by the Salvation Army, are in place to support vulnerable individuals during the colder months.
