Building an Information Community

Homeless Statistics

The HIFIS Initiative collects shelter-use data from shelters and communities through the signing of Data Sharing Protocols and Community Coordinator Agreements, respectively. Shelters that use HIFIS are then able to access the specific data that they have collected and inputted. Communities are able to use this data in a number of ways to increase the public’s understanding of homelessness.

• Data Sharing Protocol
• HIFIS Data Exports

The HIFIS data exports are collected in the HIFIS National Database (NDB). Data from the National Database can be analyzed and used to provide a portrait of shelters and their clientele across Canada.

The following documents are available:

• The Canadian Experience: Homeless Data Collection, Reporting and Performance Measurement
• The HIFIS Initiative: Using Information and Communication Technologies to Build Knowledge and Understanding on Homelessness
• Shelter Capacity Statistics (June 2008)
• Shelter Capacity Statistics (June 2007)

Related Statistics

• Housing indicators