AHANS conducts 2026 Point-in-Time Count in HRM in partnership with Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre

HALIFAX, N.S. – The Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia (AHANS), in partnership with the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre, conducted the 2026 Point-in-Time (PiT) Count in the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) on October 14 and 15 to gather data on homelessness across the region.

A PiT Count is a one-night snapshot of homelessness that records the minimum number of people experiencing homelessness in a community. The data helps identify trends in homelessness, inform resource allocation and support the development of programs and policies aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness.

From 3 p.m. on October 14 to 9 a.m. on October 15, volunteers and service providers worked across HRM to collect information on people experiencing homelessness.

The street count focused on people spending the night in unsheltered locations, including sidewalks, parks and other public spaces. Shelter and transitional housing operators, along with other service providers, also reported the number of adults, youth and children staying in their facilities that night. Together, these methods provided a snapshot of both sheltered and unsheltered homelessness across HRM.

While the PiT Count provides valuable insight into homelessness in the region, it does not capture everyone experiencing housing insecurity. Hidden homelessness, including people staying temporarily with friends or family or in other locations not covered by the count, can be particularly difficult to measure. As a result, the findings represent a minimum estimate of homelessness rather than a complete picture of housing insecurity in the community.

The results help AHANS, community organizations and decision-makers better understand the scale and changing nature of homelessness in HRM. This information can support planning, inform policy decisions and help direct resources towards the services and housing supports communities need.

AHANS expects to release the full results of the 2026 Point-in-Time Count before the end of November 2026.