MOOSE JAW — The has revealed a significant increase in homelessness within Moose Jaw, drawing attention to urgent concerns for the community when the full report was released this month.
On Oct. 1, 2024, Square One, in collaboration with Métis Nation–Saskatchewan, conducted the PiT Count as part of a broader initiative to assess homelessness across rural and remote communities in Saskatchewan. This marked Moose Jaw's first official participation in the federally co-ordinated Reaching Home program.
The count identified 76 individuals who were surveyed and confirmed as experiencing homelessness — a 192.3 per cent increase from the 26 individuals recorded in the 2023 independent count.
Additionally, 44 individuals were observed by trained surveyors to exhibit signs of homelessness but either declined participation, were incapacitated, or asleep during the survey. When accounting for an estimated 25 per cent of individuals who may have been missed, the total number of people experiencing homelessness in Moose Jaw could now range between 76 and 150.
"There are some really interesting details in here that are very revealing and useful to guide us in the services we provide to the community," said Maxton Eckstein, general manager of Square One Community Inc.
Key survey findings
Demographics: Of those surveyed, 62 per cent identified as male, 32 per cent as female, and 13 per cent as youth aged 13 to 24. Adults aged 25 to 64 represented 78 per cent, and adults over 65 represented seven per cent of respondents. Five individuals identified as a veteran of either the Canadian Armed Forces or the RCMP. A total of 34 per cent reported that they were in the foster care program at some point.
Indigenous identity: Of those surveyed, 20 per cent identified as First Nations, 11 per cent as Métis, and 53 per cent reported no Indigenous ancestry.
Sleeping arrangements: Of those surveyed, 41 per cent were unsure of where they would sleep, 25 per cent were staying at a homeless shelter, and 20 per cent were staying at someone else's place.
Length of time in Moose Jaw: Of those surveyed, 17 per cent reported living in Moose Jaw for less than one year. Around one quarter — 26 per cent — said they have always been here, 34 per cent have been here 10 or more years, and 18 per cent have been here more than one but less than 10 years.
Chronic homelessness: Of all individuals counted, 21 per cent were experiencing chronic homelessness, defined as being homeless for six months or more in the past year. Over the past three years, 38 per cent reported being homeless more than half the time, with 47 per cent stating that they were homeless less than half the time.
Age of first homelessness: Approximately 53 per cent of respondents first experienced homelessness between the ages of 11 and 30, indicating early onset of housing instability. Of all respondents, 18 per cent declined to answer.
Dependents: Of those surveyed, 26 per cent had dependents, including children (eight per cent), partners, or other adults, highlighting the impact of homelessness on families.
Income sources: The primary source of income for respondents was social assistance at 53 per cent, with 11 per cent indicating they had no income. Among the remaining 36 per cent, 17 per cent reported income from disability benefits, seven per cent from senior’s benefits, four per cent from employment insurance, and three per cent claimed to have full-time employment.
Eckstein emphasized the importance of these findings in shaping future services: "Clearly homelessness in Moose Jaw is disproportionately affecting our youth, and in many cases family units as a whole,” he said.
Square One will use this data to guide policy decisions and future funding allocations as the non-profit continues its mission to end homelessness.
“I am very hopeful that with all of the hard work we are all putting in to change this trajectory, we will see a downward trend in future years,” he said.
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