October 27 is the coordinated Point-in-Time Homeless Count in our area. The City of Cornwall, United Counties of SDG, and agency partners and volunteers will participate in the count.

Throughout one day, department staff and trained volunteers from partner agencies will count and survey individuals who are experiencing homelessness. This could include individuals who are…

• Staying in shelters,
• Staying in short-term housing,
• Couch-surfing,
• Sleeping rough (without shelter),
• Unsheltered,
• Emergency sheltered, and/or
• Provisionally accommodated (no fixed address or temporary accommodation)

The Point-in-Time Count will provide a “snapshot” of homelessness in Cornwall, Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry. It will help us better understand the homelessness situation in our community.

“Our goal is to identify and work with as many people as we can in the area who are experiencing homelessness, including hidden homelessness,” said Mellissa Morgan, Social and Housing Services Administrator.

This count will help us:

• Understand the needs and circumstances of people affected by homelessness,
• Gather key data on the demographics of the local homeless population, and
• Understand trends in housing history, current needs, and more.

“Results from the count will help us improve our response to homelessness,” added Morgan. “Developing a By-Name list will support our efforts to end chronic homelessness.”

In the future, successive counts over a number of years will allow staff to measure progress towards our ultimate goal: ending homelessness in our community.

The Social and Housing Services Department is the designated service manager for the City of Cornwall and the United Counties of SDG. The department must use the Point-in-Time Count method this year to conduct provincial homelessness enumeration. By December 31, the department will develop and implement a By-Name list.

For more information, please contact the Social and Housing Services department. We are currently working with our community partners to finalize the locations throughout the City and the Counties for 2021 enumeration. More information to follow.