Results from Winnpeg's first-ever street census were released Wednesday.
More than 300 volunteers toured the city's shelters, streets and more, to gain an idea of how many people are experiencing homelessness in Winnipeg on a given night.
The volunteers found there were at least 1,727 people experiencing homelessness on October 25 and 26, 2015.
Almost 350 of those people were staying at emergency shelters, 132 had no shelter, and 361 were staying in transitional housing.
Men made up most of the homeless population - 8.4 per cent of the people in the census were men age 48-51. Another 8.3 per cent were men over 60.
The highest percentage of women were age 32-35, representing 4.1 per cent of the homeless population.
The volunteers, led by the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg, asked people about their housing situation. Anyone who fit the definition of homeless, which was asked to fill out a 19 question about their experiences.
The Canadian Observator on Homelessness defines homelessness as "the situation of an individual or family without stable, permanent, appropriate housing, or the immediate prospect, means and ability of acquiring it."
Almost 40 per cent of people were homeless due to family issues like violence, conflict or a family breakdown. More than 75 per cent of people identified as indigenous, and 49.1 per cent grew up in foster care or group homes.
The Winnipeg Street Census aims to use the data to clarify who becomes homeless, and how. The hope is that the data will shape future programming in the city.
