Niagara Counts Results 2024

The Point-in-Time Count is a count of individuals experiencing homelessness in Niagara at a given time. The survey provides us with information on the demographics, experience and service needs of individuals experiencing homelessness.

Along with support from community agency staff, more than 81 volunteers helped with the Point-in-Time Count.

Read the full Homelessness Point-in-Time Count report.

People experiencing homelessness in Niagara

On Oct. 22, 2024, at least 701 people were experiencing homelessness in Niagara compared to 665 in 2021. 101 were children aged 0-15 years compared to 121 children in 2021. 37 were youth aged 16-24 years compared to 76 youth in 2021.

Where are you staying tonight?

280Emergency or domestic violence shelters, safe beds
131Transitional housing
282Unsheltered location (public space, vehicle)
8Motel, temporary station

There are several possible reasons for the higher number of individuals in the unsheltered / unsure category. More people were counted in unsheltered locations or said, "I don't know," when asked where they stayed overnight in 2024 compared to 2021. One key difference was the timing of the Point-in-Time Count. In 2021, it happened in March, while in 2024, it took place in October with a temperature of 21 C which may have influenced shelter choices.

The Niagara Assertive Street Outreach team also had more capacity in 2024. Mapping technology to track encampments allowed them to visit all known locations for a more thorough count. Unlike 2021 when COVID-19 restrictions were in place, the 2024 count included street volunteers, helping to identify more unsheltered individuals.

Survey results

The following provides an overview of the findings from the 460 surveys that were completed in 2024.

Respondent's age

The 2024 Point-in-Time Count shows a steady decrease in youth experiencing homelessness compared to 2021 (10.5 per cent). This contrasts trends seen across Ontario. In Niagara, this positive outcome is largely due to shelter diversion programs for youth launched in 2019 through a partnership of shelter organizations. These programs help youth aged 16-24 find other housing options in the community instead of entering the shelter system.

Many youth shelters in Niagara also now focus on housing and reconnecting youth with family, friends, school and their home communities. The RAFT's work highlights how effective these programs have been in reducing youth homelessness.

The data shows an increase in older adults (55 and up) experiencing homelessness. In the 2024 survey, 19.6 per cent of respondents were in this age group compared to 18.2 per cent in 2021 and 17 per cent in 2018. As Canada's population ages, this trend is expected to continue. With Niagara having one of the fastest-growing senior populations in Ontario, there is a growing need for a sustainable strategy to support older adults facing homelessness.

Indigenous data analysis

Previous Point-in-Time Count data show that Indigenous populations have been disproportionately affected.

This report does not include an analysis of Indigenous-specific data. However, an analysis led by Indigenous partners will be shared with Council and the community at a later date.

Respondent's highest education

The data suggests that more survey respondents indicated having received higher education levels than in the past. In 2024, 69.7 per cent had high school or greater compared to 66.3 per cent in 2021.

Experiencing homelessness for the first time

In 2024, 38.4 per cent of respondents said they first experienced homelessness as a child or youth under 25, compared to 39.4 per cent in 2021. Also, 26.1 per cent of respondents (compared to 23.7 per cent in 2021) said they first experienced homelessness before age 18.

Chronic homelessness

Over the past year, 61 per cent of respondents had been homeless for six or more months, which is considered chronically homeless. This is an increase from the 42 per cent of chronically homeless respondents in the 2021 Point-in-Time Count.

Reasons for most recent housing loss

The top five reasons given for most recent housing loss were:

Conflict with landlord / tenant - 24.8 per cent
Financial hardship - 20.7 per cent
Conflict with spouse / partner - 13.7 per cent
Experienced abused by spouse / partner - 12.8 per cent
Unsafe housing conditions - 12.2 per cent

The top five reasons for recent housing loss shifted in factors between 2021 and 2024. Financial hardship has stayed a top reason since 2018, highlighting the ongoing need for affordable housing development and enhanced rent support programs.

In 2024, conflict with spouse / partner was a new reason, making up 13.5 per cent of housing losses. This is the first time this has appeared in the survey data since the Point-in-Time Count began.

Top five challenges finding housing

While the reasons for not being housed have stayed mostly the same over time, more survey respondents in 2024 said financial hardship (such as not having enough income and high rent) was the most common reason for housing loss, compared to 2021 and 2018.

Over 30 per cent of survey responses indicated that poor housing conditions presented as a challenge when looking for housing. Other key challenges included having mental health issues, and experiencing discrimination, such as discrimination based on income / social status, age or race.

Self-identified health conditions

The top six self-identified health conditions among survey respondents were:

Mental health issue - 70.4 per cent
Substance abuse issue - 54.1 per cent
Physical disability - 41.1 per cent
Illness or medical condition - 40.9 per cent
Learning disability - 34.3 per cent
Acquired brain injury - 22.4 per cent

In 2024, more than 70 per cent of respondents reported having a mental health issue, compared to 61.4 per cent in 2021. Also, 54.1 per cent reported a substance use issue, up from 40.5% in 2021. While having a mental health or substance use issue doesn't always mean someone is experiencing or at risk of homelessness. However, individuals experiencing homelessness are disproportionately affected by these challenges.

Additionally, 34.3 per cent of respondents reported having a learning disability or cognitive limitation (like ADHD, dyslexia or autism spectrum disorder), a slight decrease from 37.7 per cent in 2021. The reason for this drop is unclear.

Physical disabilities were self-identified by 41.1 per cent of respondents in 2024, compared to 33.6 per cent in 2021.Also, 22.4 per cent of respondents reported having an acquired brain injury, an increase from 17.5 per cent in 2021.

For the first time, the 2024 survey asked about sensory issues (like hearing loss or blindness). 32.4 per cent of respondents said they had such challenges. These findings show how health, disability and homelessness are connected and the need for support tailored to these diverse needs.