The Point-in-Time Counts provide a snapshot of the number of people experiencing homelessness within a community in a 24-hour period. The Point-in-Time Count serves two functions. First, it provides a count of the number of people experiencing homelessness in Kamloops over a specified period. It also gathers information on the demographics and service needs of the local population of unhoused individuals. Point-in-Time Counts are conducted every two years in communities across Canada.
As part of the Reaching Home agreement with the federal government, the City conducted a Point-in-Time Count on October 15 and October 16, 2025. The methodology for the Point-in-Time Count must adhere to the national Point-in-Time Count methodology as prescribed by Canada.
The Point-in-Time Count methodology is representative of how many people are experiencing homelessness on a given day. It provides a baseline for understanding the most visible and often most vulnerable individuals in our community. The number of people experiencing homelessness is likely much greater. The information within Point-in-Time Count reports should not be taken in isolation. Other forms of data should be used to provide a more fulsome understanding of homelessness in our community.
The City of Kamloops is looking for volunteers to help with the count on October 16th 2025. Training will be provided, but a background in trauma-informed practice, frontline work with vulnerable populations or lived experience is an asset.
