Mayor Dan Curtis says the results of the Point-in-Time count show work needs to continue on addressing homelessness in the city.

The PiT count saw volunteers go out into the community over a 24-hour period in April in an effort to get a “snapshot” of the homelessness situation.

The Whitehorse count, led by the Council of Yukon First Nations, was one of several that happened across the country, with funding from the federal government.

Over that period, it was found a total of 256 were homeless or at risk of being homeless, organizers reported Friday.

That number included 44 living on the streets or in places not meant for human habitation, 33 staying in shelters, 42 who had temporary accommodations or places that lack security of tenure and 137 listed “at-risk” where their current housing is precarious or doesn’t meet health and safety standards.

Curtis described 256 as “an unacceptably high” number of people facing homelessness in the city, while also pointing out the true numbers could actually be higher, as there may have been some who were reluctant to speak with volunteers who were doing the count.

The good news, he said, is work is continuing to come up with solutions to address the issue, with the city and Kwanlin Dun First Nation working together.

Among the initiatives is a youth forum the two governments are planning to host, which comes after forums last year looking at the issue.

Discussions on the matter are also ongoing with the Yukon government, Curtis stressed.

While the initial results of the PiT count were released Friday, further analysis of the information gathered is set to be done, with more detailed results to be released later this summer.