In 2016, the Without a Home study was conducted nationally to study young people who experience homelessness. With 1,103 respondents from 47 different communities across 10 provinces and territories, this study’s sample size enabled them to conduct a detailed analysis and to draw important conclusions.

Also in 2016, the University of Manitoba and the University College of the North with the support of the city of Thompson conducted its first Youth Count on the issue of housing instability and homelessness. As a first Youth Count we adapted and used a modified Gaetz (2014) definition of youth homelessness and we developed a survey which was intentionally kept short to encourage participation. The major modification was changing the age range and adapting the definition of youth used by local and Indigenous organizations working with youth in Thompson.

The Thompson Youth Count is part of a larger project on “Youth Homelessness: Including the voices of youth who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in northern Manitoba”.

The Youth Count was carried out between May 11th to 19th, 2016. 69 surveys were completed by youth between the ages of 15 – 29. Participants include female, male, transgender and LGBTQ youth.