Toronto’s third Street Needs Assessment a success

April 18, 2013

Toronto’s third Street Needs Assessment was completed successfully in the early hours of this morning. With the valued assistance of an estimated 500 volunteers and 250 team leaders from partner community agencies and City of Toronto staff, 295 outdoor study areas were canvassed (about half of the city’s total area) and most emergency shelters were surveyed.

Separately, staff at hospitals, treatment centres, correctional institutions and victims of violence shelters provided occupancy information and completed surveys in additional facilities where there were people with no fixed address on the night of April 17.

“I want each of our hard-working volunteers to know just how important their efforts were on April 17,” said Councillor Jaye Robinson (Ward 25 Don Valley West), Chair of the Community Development and Recreation Committee. “You have given a voice to Toronto’s most vulnerable residents, and we are listening closely.”

The intent of the Street Needs Assessment is to provide information and data that will be useful to policymakers looking to ensure that funding decisions reflect what homeless people say are the services they need to end their homelessness and remain in permanent housing.

The results of the statistically valid survey and point in time census are being tabulated, analyzed, and compared to previous study results. An interim report that includes an estimate of the number of homeless people in Toronto and the key findings from the survey questionnaire will be released in July. The detailed and complete staff report is expected to go to Community Development and Recreation Committee in September.

Information from the Street Needs Assessment, along with input from upcoming consultations with community agencies, homeless and vulnerably housed clients, and members of the public, will inform the creation of a Housing Stabilization Service Plan that Council will consider in the fall.

A statistical overview of the 2013 Street Needs Assessment follows.

Street Needs Assessment 2013 by the numbers

500 Number of volunteers who signed up

250 Number of team leaders

50 Number in the quality control group

18 Number of field offices

57 City-funded emergency shelters to be surveyed by volunteers

295 Outdoor study areas to be surveyed by volunteers

11 Special areas covered by City and community outreach teams

50 Percentage of total City surface area covered

14 Violence Against Women shelters surveyed by staff (estimate)

5 Correctional facilities surveyed by staff (estimate)

43 Health and treatment facilities surveyed by staff (estimate)

119,000 Dollars budgeted for the Street Needs Assessment, same as 2009

13 Number of questions in the survey

2,000 Estimated number of surveys completed

3 Number of times Toronto has done a Street Needs Assessment

Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. Toronto’s government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Media Contact

Patricia Anderson
Manager, Partnership Development and Support
416-397-4329
panders@toronto.ca

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