This 2020 Homeless Count in Metro Vancouver on March 3-4 was only possible through the incredible efforts of more than 1,200 volunteers who gave their time to interact with Metro Vancouver’s most vulnerable populations.
Whether this was your first time participating or you are a “seasoned pro,” thank you for your passion, kindness and commitment. Each and every one of you offered something unique and important to the count and lent a voice to those living on our streets and in shelters.
The count has three main goals:
- To estimate the number of people who are experiencing homelessness;
- To obtain a demographic profile of people through the count survey; and,
- To identify long-term trends in the number and profile of people who are experiencing homelessness.
Results of the count will be released in fall 2020. Learn more in the media release here. Here is some media coverage from the Homeless Count:
- Vancouver Courier
- Delta Optimist
- Vancouver Sun
- Langley Advance Times
- Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News
- North Delta Reporter
- The Chilliwack Progress
- Surrey Now-Leader
- Vancouver Courier (follow-up)
- Richmond News
- The Globe and Mail
Background:
The 2020 Homeless Count in Metro Vancouver is an initiative of the Reaching Home Interim Community Entity, Vancity Community Foundation and the Community Advisory Board (CAB). The Homeless Count is delivered in partnership with the Indigenous Reaching Home Community Entity, the Indigenous Homelessness Steering Committee, and the Council of Community Homelessness Tables.
“We know we have an undersupply of services.. it’s far more expensive to have #homelessness, which is why we need housing,” says BCNPHA’s @jfatkey to @CBCEarlyEdition about the 2020 Homeless Count in Metro Vancouver. Listen here: https://t.co/zfwlJVKLcW #metrovancount #bcpoli
— BCNPHA (@BCNPHA) March 4, 2020
He’s 26 & probably won’t make it to 30. I ‘met’ him on the #MetroVancouver #homeless count. He was up all night because he didn’t have a place to sleep. The 2,200 new homeless units are great but clearly the need is greater. https://t.co/4CxBvg667c — Kevin C. Griffin (@KevinCGriffin) March 5, 2020
The Salvation Army Ridge Meadows Ministries hosted the 2020 Homeless Count over the past number of days. This included a special event where free food, hair cuts, pet treats, nursing consultation, and more was offered to those in need.https://t.co/XwqOSPvH3j #GivingHopeToday
— Salvation Army BC (@SalArmyBC) March 5, 2020
A huge thank-you to everyone who volunteered their time on today’s Homeless Count. It’s such critical data to have in order to bust myths and advocate for immediate & long-term solutions to the #homelessness crisis. #vanpoli #bcpoli @BCNPHA @CityofVancouver pic.twitter.com/vtThGZhtqx — Christine Boyle (@christineeboyle) March 5, 2020
The annual Homeless Count is today.
We’ve seen 4 years of increases and it’s heartbreaking There are too many lives on the line and we need to #endhomelessness in #MetroVancouver. When homelessness increases, so do the number of homeless deaths.https://t.co/TW1WD6Kho8
— Union Gospel Mission (@ugm) March 4, 2020
Spent the morning out w/ hardworking volunteers for the Homeless Count. Many of the neighbours I met are living w/ mental illness – most homeless since they were teens. Heartbreaking & unacceptable. All levels of gov’t need to step up more and I plan to see this happens. #vanpolipic.twitter.com/IGE7qLu9Fi — Kennedy Stewart (@kennedystewart) March 4, 2020
#MetroVanCount aftermath! Surveys and clipboards are slowly coming back to our war room. Now the data work begins #homelessness https://t.co/tUZ1axIfkQ pic.twitter.com/7JWCGeDsNm
— BCNPHA (@BCNPHA) March 5, 2020
Help us spread the word on social media and hashtag #MetroVanCount:
- Twitter @bcnpha
- Facebook @bcnpha
- Instagram @housingcentral