I have been searching the StatCan website regarding counting the homeless during the census. I know it took place some years ago (1996? 2001?), maybe even more than once.
Where has this information gone and do any of you have the methodological guide, form and any data? Also, any information as to when this count was taken?
Answer
Statistics Canada does not collect monthly or annual data on the number of homeless persons in Canada.
Residents of shelters are enumerated during the census, which occurs every 5 years. (Shelters include shelters for abused women and children, shelters for persons lacking a fixed address, and other shelters and lodging and rooming with assistance services).
Statistics Canada has information on the number of people living in shelters during the census and the residential facilities (shelters) for female victims of domestic violence
Some resources include
-Selected Collective Dwelling and Population Characteristics (52) and Type of Collective Dwelling (17) for the Population in Collective Dwellings of Canada, Provinces and Territories, 2011 Census <http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/tbt-tt/Rp-eng.cfmLANG=E&APATH=3&DETAIL=0&DIM=0&FL=A&FREE=0&GC=0&GID=0 &GK=0&GRP=1&PID=102239&PRID=0&PTYPE=101955&S=0&SHOWALL=0&SUB=0&Temporal=2011&THEME=91&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF>.
-Shelters for abused women in Canada, 2012 <http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2014001/article/11906-eng.htm>(Note: Shelters include shelters for abused women and children, shelters for persons lacking a fixed address, and other shelters and lodging and rooming with assistance services)
There's also:
-<http://www.homelesshub.ca/sites/default/files/SurveyofhomelessnessinCanadaStreet_Component_Feasibil.pdf>
-(synoposis) <http://www.homelesshub.ca/resource/survey-homeless-canada-street-component>
-<http://homeless.samhsa.gov/ResourceFiles/SurveyofhomelessnessinCanada-SteetcomponentPilot_Test.pdf>
Perhaps would be worth digitizing through Statistics Canada Library’s digitization project? I couldn’t find this in the Library catalogue, perhaps my search strategy is wrong?
I have followed up with the library who was able to supply the attached documents and the Library Director has approved it for outside distribution, although she wanted to stress that these were not necessarily the final records on the subject, and that there might be more available through ATIP.
I have also requested support from Census in regards to providing a contact for analyst who would be able to provide more information; however, I have yet to hear back.
