Homeless Population | Metro Vancouver

A point-in-time homeless count occurs in Metro Vancouver every three years. The count is conducted over a 24-hour period and provides a snapshot of homelessness in the region. Results are considered to be an undercount but are still a good indicator of the magnitude of need for housing and support services. Data from the count also provides critical information on the characteristics of people experiencing homelessness and shows trends over time.

Trend in sheltered and unsheltered individuals experiencing homelessness

Sheltered and unsheltered individuals experiencing homelessness in Metro Vancouver

Distribution of sheltered and unsheltered individuals experiencing homelessness

Percentage change in the number of individuals experiencing homelessness

Key observations

A total of 4,821 individuals were identified as experiencing homelessness in 2023 — a 33% increase since the last count in 2020. Of these, 1,461 were unsheltered (30%) and 3,360 were sheltered (70%).
The sheltered total includes 2,768 individuals who stayed in emergency shelters across the region and an additional 292 individuals who had no fixed address and stayed in jails, hospitals, and detox facilities.
In 2023, at least 300 individuals stayed in Extreme Weather Response (EWR) shelters. Those staying in EWRs would likely have been unsheltered if an Extreme Weather Alert had not been activated on count day.
The largest number of individuals experiencing homelessness were counted in Vancouver (2,420), followed by Surrey (1,060).
Despite initiatives to build more supportive housing, the number of individuals experiencing homelessness in the region continues to increase. Between 2005 and 2023, the region saw a 122% increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness.

Demographic profile

In 2023, 33% of surveyed respondents identified as Indigenous. Indigenous people were over 13 times more likely to experience homelessness than their presence in the general population would predict.
Black people were 3.7 times more likely to experience homelessness than their representation in the general population would predict.
Seniors (aged 55 and over) represented 22% of the homeless population overall, a decrease from the 24% share in 2023 but the same as in 2017.

Homeless count for Metro Vancouver

Notes

The glossary provides definitions of each technical term, ensuring consistent interpretation.
Jurisdiction and Metro Vancouver totals may not equal the sum of individual values due to rounding, data suppression, or the omission of smaller data points to maintain visual readability. If a geography is not listed or appears missing, the associated data was either unavailable or did not meet reporting thresholds.
The number of people who are sheltered includes those in shelters (temporary nightly shelters, winter response shelters, extreme weather response shelters, and other shelter programs), safe houses, transition houses, jails, detox facilities, and hospitals.
Langley includes the Township of Langley and the City of Langley.
North Shore includes the District of West Vancouver, City of North Vancouver, District of North Vancouver, and Bowen Island.
Ridge Meadows includes the City of Maple Ridge and City of Pitt Meadows.
Tri-Cities includes the Cities of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, and Port Moody.
University Endowment Lands (UEL): UBC Campus Security, in partnership with on-campus groups, conducted an independent count on March 8, 2023.

Source
This information is compiled from individual final reports providing point-in-time homeless counts in Greater Vancouver.

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