Community Profiles

British Columbia

Profiles of 61 communities across Canada

HOMELESSNESS

Total number of people experiencing homelessness: 2,420 (2023)
Individuals experiencing chronic homelessness: 71% (2023)
Individuals experiencing episodic homelessness: 26% (2020)
Individuals experiencing sheltered homelessness: 1,815 (2023)
Individuals staying in emergency shelters: 241 (2020)
Individuals staying in a facility setting: 192 (2020)
Individuals staying in provisional accommodation: 2,413 (2020)
Individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness:  605 (2023)
Number of hidden homeless:  Couch surfing: 180 (2020)
Individuals identifying as youth:  8% (2023)
Individuals identifying as Indigenous:  39% (2023)
Individuals identifying as LGBTQ2S+: 13%; transgender experience: 3% (2023)
Individuals identifying as female:  23% (2023)
Individuals identifying as male:  73% (2020)

 

HOUSING

Apartment vacancy rate:  0.8% (2023)
1-bedroom vacancy rate: 0.6% (2023)
2-bedroom vacancy rate: 1.2% (2023)
Average cost of rent (bachelor):  $1,530/month (2023)
Average cost of rent (1 bdrm): $1,786/month (2023)
Average cost of rent (2 bdrm): $2,464/month (2023)

SOCIAL ASSISTANCE

Family and individual visits to food bank: Province wide: 195,295 (2023)
Total welfare income (single person):
$13,251 (2023)

Community Resources

Community Plans

Homeless Counts

Other Homelessness Research

Reports/Research