The City of Lloydminster will conduct its 2026 Point-in-Time homeless count on Oct. 21 to gather critical data on the local unhoused population.
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The single-day enumeration, running from 8 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., will combine surveys and direct headcount methods. Municipal organizers say the initiative aims to build a comprehensive picture of homelessness across the Border City to guide future social program planning and resource allocation.
Lloydminster was selected as one of a small group of rural communities across Canada to participate in the federally co-ordinated effort.
The count will capture individuals across a spectrum of housing instability, including those staying in emergency shelters, transitional housing, health-care facilities, and correctional institutions. Field teams will also survey unsheltered locations such as encampments, alleys, streets, and abandoned buildings.
City officials have partnered with local service providers and community organizations to support outreach and maximize participation during the 16-hour window.
The upcoming census follows the city’s previous Point-in-Time count on Oct. 23, 2024, which identified approximately 246 individuals experiencing homelessness in the area. Survey data from that effort revealed 91 per cent of respondents desired permanent housing, with low income and high rental costs cited as the primary barriers.
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