London researchers are working to utilize a new tool to track homelessness across the province of Ontario.
Researchers at Lawson Health Research Institute and Western University recently published a study that shows the accuracy of computer algorithms when used to track the number of individuals who experience homelessness in a given year. The study's algorithms utilized Ontario health records collected between 2007 and 2014 to track the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness.
“We do not know how many people experience homelessness yearly in Ontario, or in the country as a whole. Current methods rely on shelter data, or large point-in-time counts that require large investments, and are only done in specific communities,” said Lucie Richard, a Lawson researcher and lead author of the study, in a news release. “Also, not all people who are homeless use shelters. This approach gives us an alternative that can include a wide range of communities and different types of homelessness over time.”
Researchers found that the algorithms tested were able to accurately identify up to 35 per cent of individuals who experience homelessness in a given year. The best performing algorithm estimated a large increase in the prevalence of homelessness between 2007 and 2016. The results showed around one in 200 adults in Ontario experienced homelessness in 2016.
The Lawson Health Research Institute said homelessness is an important health issue for Canadians, with many of the country's homeless often facing mental and physical health challenges. Many of those experiencing homelessness also have an increased risk of illness and death, and are among the highest users of health care services.
It is hoped that the information gained through these algorithms ensure health care providers have the information needed to more appropriately meet the needs of those who experience homelessness.