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2020 count finds slight decrease in number of Delta homeless

Delta has seen a slight decline in homelessness, according to the 2020 Homeless Count in Metro Vancouver .
Homeless count
Delta has seen a slight decline in homelessness, according to the 2020 Homeless Count in Metro Vancouver.

Delta has seen a slight decline in homelessness, according to the 2020 Homeless Count in Metro Vancouver.

Released Wednesday, the count identified 3,634 individuals as experiencing homelessness in Greater Vancouver, up 29 from the 3,605 identified in the 2017 count.

In Delta, the count found 19 homeless individuals, down two from the 2017 count. Only White Rock at 16 had fewer homeless individuals.

The count took place on March 3 and 4.

The communities with the highest numbers of individuals experiencing homelessness were Vancouver (2,095), Surrey (644) and Langley (209). Surrey and Langley were among five communities that showed an increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness along with Burnaby, the North Shore and Richmond. Small decreases in the number of individuals who were reported as homeless were seen in Vancouver, the Tri-Cities, White Rock, Ridge Meadows, New Westminster and Delta. 

The 2020 data shows that homelessness among young people continues to decrease, with people under 25 years of age accounting for eight per cent of the homeless population in 2020 compared to 16 per cent in both 2014 and 2017. The number of seniors 55 and older continues to increase, accounting for 25 per cent of respondents in the 2020 count compared to 23 per cent in 2017.

Indigenous homelessness remains disproportionately high in Metro Vancouver. The 2020 count found 711 individuals who identified as Indigenous – a slight decrease of 35 individuals from the 2017 count, but at 33 per cent (compared to 2.5 per cent of the overall population according to the 2016 census) this group continues to be significantly overrepresented among people experiencing homelessness.

“The Homeless Count provides important insight into the diversity of individuals experiencing homelessness as well as the different challenges and circumstances they face,” said Lorraine Copas, chair of the Community Advisory Board that oversees the count. “This year, we have continued to work to explore different methodologies and approaches to allow us to deepen our insight. At the same time, it is important to recognize that behind each of the statistics is someone who is living without a place that they can call their own and who deserves every chance to realize their full potential.”

The full report on the 2020 Homeless Count, which will include detailed data and information on demographic profiles, sources of income, health status and more, will be released in the fall.