Housing affordability and availability continue to be significant challenges in Metro Vancouver and on the North Shore. Housing prices and rental rates continue to increase and vacancy rates remain low.
In addition to the housing crisis, many people are struggling with poverty, chronic and/or underlying health conditions, mental illness, addictions, domestic and other forms of violence, aging out of care (foster youth), lack of employment and income opportunities, lack of access to service, and lack of affordable housing options.
In June of 2020, Council approved a resolution directing staff to create a cross-jurisdictional Steering Committee and Working Group to develop actions that are focused on clear, comprehensive and coordinated strategies to prevent homelessness, to serve the people who are currently homeless, and to create pathways out of homelessness. The District of North Vancouver and the District of West Vancouver passed similar motions in the summer/fall of 2020.
The North Shore Homelessness Action Initiative (NSHAI)
The North Shore Homelessness Action Initiative (NSHAI) serves as a forum for coordination amongst the five North Shore governments – the City of North Vancouver, District of North Vancouver, District of West Vancouver, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) – and other levels of government and agencies with direct and indirect authority for homelessness initiatives, supportive policies, funding, and capital investments.
With the completion of the North Shore Homelessness Action Initiative (NSHAI) report, the five North Shore governments will begin to work closely together on priority actions intended to prevent homelessness, better serve those experiencing homelessness, and create pathways out of homelessness.
The key outcomes of the NSHAI include:
- A shared vision and understanding of the issues, complexities, and the policy and housing needs related to homelessness
- The creation of 12 priority actions focused on:
- Advocacy for and implementation of a single point of entry and housing first model;
- Commitments to improve and expand collaboration and communication between jurisdictions and partners, including the informal continuation of the Working Group;
- Consideration of new policy ideas and response protocols to improve on the ground communications, equity, and consistency in Municipal and First Nations response across the North Shore; and
- The collection, monitoring, and sharing of data to understand current and future needs as well as support public awareness and dialogue.
The five local North Shore jurisdictions have also been working together on several policy and action-based projects specific to homelessness and those at risk of homelessness through grants provided by the Provincial Government and administered by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.
Going forward, the Steering Committee, which has completed its mandate, remains committed to increasing coordination and supporting initiatives, policies, funding, and capital investments to better support individuals experiencing homelessness and those who are at risk of homelessness.
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee was comprised of elected and appointed government officials or delegates from each of the local jurisdictions including the City of North Vancouver, District of North Vancouver, District of West Vancouver, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish) Nation, and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation, as well as Vancouver Coastal Health, BC Housing, and Provincial and Federal elected Members of Parliament and the Legislative Assembly.
Staff Working Group
The staff working group was comprised of staff from each of the local jurisdictions including the City of North Vancouver, District of North Vancouver, District of West Vancouver, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish) Nation, and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation.
Understanding Homelessness on the North Shore
It is difficult to get accurate statistics on homeless populations because they are not always “visible”. The concept of visibility includes those who are:
- Visibly Homeless: in other words, individuals who are unsheltered
- Hidden Homeless: individuals who do not have a home of their own where they have security of tenure (ex. couch surfing). They are considered to be “hidden” because they are less likely to access homelessness supports and services even though they are improperly or inadequately housed.
- At Risk of Homelessness: individuals or households who are spending at least 50% of their income on shelter. They are considered to be in “core housing need” because they are at increased risk of homelessness through economic eviction (essentially not having enough money to make ends meet).
The following statistics provide a snapshot of the North Shore homeless and at risk of homelessness populations:
- Over 10,000 households on the North Shore are considered to be in "core housing need"
- The food bank has seen a significant increase in the number of families accessing the food bank, from approximately 200 in 2019 to over 700 in 2021.
- In 2020, the North Shore participated in a Metro Vancouver Homeless Count "Extended Count" pilot project (March 3-9, 2020)*
- Total count: identified 212 homeless individuals
- Approximately 75% identified as male
- Approximately 25% identified as Indigenous
- Approximately 25% were over 55 years of age
- Approximately 20% were under 25 years of age
* NOTE: The 2020 count took place just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic therefore it's likely that the data no longer adequately reflects the state of homelessness given the economic impacts and policy responses stemming from the pandemic. The pandemic continues to exacerbate housing challenges for many individuals and households and it is acknowledged that the numbers presented here have likely continued to increase.