PRINCE RUPERT, B.C. -- The results of the annual Terrace homeless count were released this week.
The report, which was put together by the Ksan Society this year, says there were 85 people experiencing homelessness in the city when the survey was conducted on April 19th and 20th.
It's an increase of 14 people from the last survey, which was held in 2019. A homeless count was unable to be held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Addiction and substance abuse was the most commonly-cited reason for housing loss in the survey. Other commonly-cited reasons include a lack of income, conflict with a partner or unfit housing.
The report also finds Indigenous people are over-represented in the city's homeless population. Out of the 61 people who responded to the question about Indigenous identity, 53 people – or 87 per cent of respondents to the question – said they were Indigenous.
The majority of respondents were also young and male. 38 per cent said of respondents said they've been living in Terrace for years, while 35 per cent said they've lived in the city their whole life.
The survey notes it was unable to account for "hidden homelessness," which could include people couch-surfing in people’s houses households or living in secluded areas such as bushes or abandoned buildings. It also doesn't account for people at risk of homelessness.
People who declined to fill out the survey – some of whom were staying at the Ksan Society’s shelter – were also not included.
