Just under 30 community partners and organizations are working together to put on the second Winnipeg Street Census. 

The research project will gather information about the extent and nature of homelessness in Winnipeg over a 24-hour period to determine how many people are homeless in the city and what their unique and specific situations are. 

The goal is to better understand people's challenges when it comes to experiencing homelessness. 

Jolene Wilson is a community connector at the West Central Women's Resource Centre and was homeless for 15 years. 

She says there is no one-size-fits-all approach to ending homelessness, and speaking to a variety of people to get their stories is the most important thing the census can do. 

"Women and LGBTQ people experience homelessness a lot differently than other people do," Wilson said. "We need to get to those people. They are often the hidden homeless, they are the ones we don't get to hear from and those are the ones we need to reach out to." 

"It's important to me we find a way to fill these gaps," she continued. "I don't think anyone should spend 15 years or even 15 minutes without a home." 

The last census, completed on Oct. 25, 2015 found 1,400 people to be living on Winnipeg's streets, although some anti-poverty advocates have argued that the number is likely much higher. This year's census will take place on Apr. 18. 

Wilson believes they're going to find a higher number this year. 

"Getting their voices and their stories is key," she said. "We need to give them a hand up and we need to raise their voices. If they can't speak for themselves we need to speak on their behalf, but if we are going to do that we have to have the facts." 

During the last census, over 300 volunteers went to shelters, transitional housing sites, bottle depots, community agencies and drop-in locations to speak with people. This year, they want to expand their reach to other parts of the city, according to Christina Maes Nino, a community animator with the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg. 

"The biggest challenge is we want to include people who are considered hidden homeless," Maes Nino said. "We know there are people staying around garbage hill so we'll send volunteers there and we'll be sending people to areas where people panhandle or some businesses where people are spending time." 

Maes Nino says the census will respect people's privacy if they don't want to speak to volunteers. They are also trying to include people who are staying temporarily with friends or family members but have no guarantee of permanent residence. 

"If they say they're staying with family members we ask them if they can stay there as long as they want or if it's temporary," Maes Nino said. "We don't want to get people who are staying with their aunts and can stay there until they find a place. We want to capture the folks who are in those uncertain situations who stay at a different place every night or walk around on some nights." 

Maes Nino says they are looking for volunteers who have worked with the homeless population in the past. 

Anyone who wants to volunteer can learn more at streetcensuswpg.ca.