Image: City of Abbotsford / FILE PHOTO - An undated photo of fences surrounding an encampment at Abbotsford City Hall. Several people had been living at the site and have previously received trespass notices, requiring them to leave the site.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Surge in homeless count

Abbotsford experiences huge surge in number of homeless people

Oct 15, 2025 | 6:29 AM

ABBOTSFORD — The City of Abbotsford says nearly 200 more people were identified in the latest Point-in-Time Homeless Count versus last year, an increase of 40 per cent over a 2024 survey.

In a statement, the municipality says the one-night count was performed by Mennonite Central Committee BC, with help from local service providers and other community partners, on October 1, 2025. The census identified 654 people without a home in Abbotsford, versus 465 recorded in 2024.

The count is intended to guide ongoing local response efforts by providing a snapshot of the minimum number of people experiencing homelessness in the community on a single night.

The City of Abbotsford says the increase reflects both a rise in the number of individuals without stable housing and changes in how participants were identified and recorded.

“The increase in this year’s numbers is very concerning and underscores the need for additional resources and stronger supports from senior levels of government,” said Ross Siemens, Mayor of Abbotsford. “Homelessness is a complex issue and one that communities cannot solve on their own. The City will continue to advocate for the most vulnerable members of our community and work closely with senior government to ensure they have access to the housing, health and social supports they need”

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Image: City of Abbotsford / Mayor Ross Siemens.

Outdoor data collection during the count happened across mapped locations developed using information from the Community Homelessness Information System app (CHIA). Counts within shelters were completed using the provincial Homeless Individuals and Families Information System database, and data was provided by Fraser Health for individuals admitted to hospital with no fixed address.

While the number of people experiencing homelessness in Abbotsford has increased compared to previous years, mirroring broader provincial and national trends, the city states several changes to the federal guidelines around the enumeration process have allowed for a more complete and accurate count:

• Simplified methodology: Individuals were included even if they declined to complete a survey, removing a key limitation of past counts.
• Expanded coverage: With fewer administrative requirements, outreach teams were able to visit more locations across the city.
• Collaboration with BC Housing: Data from the two largest RV and trailer encampments were provided directly by BC Housing, allowing local teams to focus on additional areas.

Together, these process changes provide a more realistic and comprehensive snapshot of homelessness in Abbotsford.The City of Abbotsford remains committed to working with senior levels of government and community partners through internal working relationships, Abbotsford ACCESS and the Reaching Home program to inform planning, funding and coordination of local homelessness response efforts and service delivery.To learn more about the City’s response to homelessness, visit www.abbotsford.ca/homelessness-action-plan.