Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / A homeless encampment near Chilliwack Lake Road east of Chilliwack is pictured. The FVRD announced Thursday that over 1,000 homeless individuals were enumerated over a 24-hour period during a homeless count on March 7 and 8, 2023, in Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Mission, Agassiz, Harrison Hot Springs, Hope and the surrounding communities. Preliminary data suggests the number of homeless individuals has increased 21 per cent since the last count done in 2020.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Homelessness in the Fraser Valley

Homelessness in Chilliwack, Abbotsford area increases 21% since 2020: FVRD

Jul 13, 2023 | 8:05 PM

CHILLIWACK — The Fraser Valley Regional District announced Thursday (July 13) that over 1,000 homeless individuals were located and recorded during a recent homeless count and survey that covered Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission, Kent, and the surrounding communities.

In a statement, the FVRD says preliminary figures for its seventh tri-annual Point-in-Time (PiT) Homeless Count and Survey were released Thursday following a 24-hour point-in-time survey of homeless individuals in Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Mission, Agassiz, Harrison Hot Springs, Hope and select locations within FVRD’s unincorporated electoral areas. The count was conducted on March 7 and 8, 2023.

“The data collected in the tri-annual Homeless Count is beneficial in improving supports for those experiencing homelessness,” said Jason Lum, FVRD Chair. “It is important to note the data is not intended to include a count of every person experiencing homelessness. The consistent application of PiT Count Methodology is used to measure trends in the extent of homelessness within a given area,” he said.

Survey results and the enumeration of homeless individuals, which combines survey data plus full shelter beds on the night of the count, is used to improve supports for homeless individuals, identify unmet housing needs, determine potential gaps in related health services, and support funding applications for local housing and homelessness initiatives.

Almost 20 years of enumeration data and survey findings have contributed to local, regional, provincial, and national understanding of homelessness, the FVRD statement revealed. This work relies significantly on the collaboration and support provided by municipal staff and nearly one hundred volunteers in 2023 from over thirty local service agencies and other stakeholder groups.

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Preliminary findings indicate an upward trend in the experience of homelessness within the region, a shift towards longer periods of homelessness, significant health and addiction challenges, and older demographics. In 2023, 1,081 homeless individuals were enumerated, compared to 895 in 2020. This is an additional 186 people, or a 21 per cent increase since the previous count in 2020 (before the COVID-19 pandemic), and a 163 per cent increase since 2004, when the first count occurred. Of those individuals enumerated, 1,037 participated in the survey.

A final report on the 2023 Homeless Point-in-time Count and Survey will be available this fall, and will include regional and community-specific summaries and breakdowns of enumeration figures and survey results.