Selkirk College has launched an online survey for community members in Trail, Nelson, and Castlegar to share their perceptions on homelessness.
The survey is part of the three-year, Bridging Rural Homelessness and Well-being applied research project, which was launched in 2023.
The first year of the study saw researchers gather data and perceptions from service users and service providers in all three communities.
Second-year nursing student and data analyst Zakeea Al Hanafy said that once the study wrapped up phase one, the research team realized that public perceptions also needed to be gathered to effectively advocate for change.
“We have a lot of assumptions about what people want and need, or don’t think is useful. But what we really need is that evidence-based platform that shows the numbers on these perceptions.”
The survey, which is available online until August 18, should take 15-20 minutes to complete.
It asks the public to share their opinions on factors contributing to homelessness in their community, what services they support in their community, what they feel are the most effective means of support, etc.
Mackenzie Fernquist-Kosteniuk, a fourth-year nursing student in charge of the project’s outreach component, said the feedback gathered will help the research team get a better sense of what the community thinks, and why.
“It will give us an idea about public education, how much people know, how much they perceive, where stigma and biases might be coming from. I encourage people to put their stories in there if they really want them to be heard.”
Data collected from the survey will be analysed and compiled into a report, which will be shared with stakeholders and made publicly available on the Selkirk College website.
Insights will help inform local decision-makers in supporting the unhoused population while creating a safe and inclusive community for all.
Fernquist-Kosteniuk and Al Hanafy said that since the survey went public on July 19, over 500 community members have already taken part.
Upon completion, enter a prize draw for a $100 gift certificate to a local business of your choice and a $100 donation, on your behalf, to a social service organization in your community.
A link to the survey can be found here.
More information on the Bridging Rural Homelessness project can be found here.
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