The 2007 Homeless Needs Survey

Victoria - After many months of careful research and preparation, the Victoria Cool Aid Society is pleased to announce that the 2007 Homeless Needs Survey has officially begun. The questionnaire will be administered at over 40 locations throughout the capital region over the next four days.

We invite you to join us on Tuesday, February 6th at one location, 1414 Douglas Street, which has been generously donated as a base camp for this project. Here at 1:00 pm, Mayor Lowe and others will be on hand to show their support for this very worthwhile community undertaking.

On Monday, February 5th, 2007, an enumeration was conducted at shelters, facilities, agencies, institutions, motels and other locations which are known to be utilized by individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness. This information, combined with the knowledge we will gain
from the questionnaires completed over the course of this week, will provide valuable qualitative and quantitative data of both housing needs and the barriers encountered by those in our community who are homeless.

The Homeless Needs Survey is a partnership between Cool Aid, Community Council and over 60 social service agencies in the capital region - such as the Victoria Native Friendship Centre and the Salvation Army. The purpose of the needs survey is to gather first-hand information from the people who are homeless that will result in effective solutions to homelessness in this region.

The Government of Canada has contributed funding to this initiative. Other funding supporters include the City of Victoria, the Capital Regional District, the Ladybug Foundation, the United Way, the Victoria Real Estate Board, Vancity Victoria Branch, the Salvation Army, Moore Paterson Architects, Kiwanis Rose Manor, Shoppers Drug Mart, Shaw Cablesystems, Diamond Communications, Thrifty Foods, Old Victoria Water Company, Capital Iron, Anounce Printer, Canadian Home Builders Association, Cob's Bakery, DTI Computers, Fibre Options, Oak Bay Kiwanis, Leadership Victoria, Regent Hotel, Tom Harris Cellular, VIHA - Vancouver Island Health Authority, and others. In fact this project would never have been possible without the
tremendous support from every level of government and assistance received from business, community, individuals and hard-working staff and volunteers throughout the capital region.



N E W S R E L E A S E

For Immediate Release: February 5, 2007

Additional information can be found at our website www.coolaid.org.

Information: http://coolaid.org

Kathy Stinson, Executive Director of Victoria Cool Aid or
Don McTavish, Manager of Shelters
(250) 383-1977

Jane Worton, Researcher, Community Council
(250) 383-6166