May 13, 2014 Addressing Homelessness Issues in the FVRD - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

May 13, 2014

Addressing Homelessness Issues in the FVRD

Homelessness is not just a Metro Vancouver issue.

• The FVRD has been involved in addressing affordable

housing and homelessness in the region through research, data and several housing forums.

• The FVRD has contributed funding to the last three

homelessness counts.

• FVRD’s collaboration with the Mennonite Central

Committee (MCC) has produced research, reports and inventories that have supported affordable housing and homelessness initiatives throughout the Region.

2014 FVRD Homelessness Count

• Purpose was to determine whether homelessness is

increasing or decreasing in the Region.

• Teams of volunteers conducted a formal count of

homeless people in the FVRD on March 11 and 12.

• Survey coordinated with similar process taking place

at the same time in the Metro Vancouver region

• Is a "snapshot" of homelessness throughout the

Fraser Valley, from Boston Bar to Abbotsford, and west through the Lower Mainland to Bowen Island.

• A similar survey in 2011 found 345 people in Fraser

Valley living homeless.

2014 FVRD Homelessness Count

Abbotsford

• The count could not have been accomplished

without community partners and volunteers.

• Partners

– Funding: Fraser Valley Regional District – Abbotsford Community partners: The 5 and 2 Ministries; The Salvation Army; Abbotsford Community Services (Foodbank); Cyrus Centre; Women's Resource Society of the Fraser Valley; and United Way

• Approximately 20 individual volunteers also

aided in the count.

2014 FVRD Homelessness Count

Preliminary Totals

• Total number of homeless

persons in Region remained flat from 2011in the FVRD.

• In Abbotsford, the 2014 total is

still well below the high of 235 homeless people counted in 2008.

• Abbotsford has seen the greatest

increase within the FVRD since 2011 (29%).

FVRD Homeless Count

Number surveyed 2004 to 2014

346 345 465 413 2014 2011 2008 2004

Total FVRD Change

2014 Abbotsford Homelessness Count

Preliminary Totals

• Consistent with 2011 count

the majority of homeless persons (70%) have come to the FVRD from elsewhere.

2014 - Previous Community

FVRD 30% Metro Vancouver 25% BC-OTHER 20% OUT PROVINCE 24% OUT OF COUNTRY 1%

2014 Abbotsford Homelessness Count Preliminary Totals

9.9% 4.6% 4.0% 8.6% 8.6% 38.4% 0-6 MONTHS 6-12 MONTHS 1-2 YEARS 2-5 YEARS 5-10 YEARS 10+ YEARS

Length of Residency in Current City

• Nearly 40% of homeless

individuals in Abbotsford have lived here for over 10 years.

• Only 1 in 10 people who are

homeless in Abbotsford have lived here for less than 6 months

2014 Abbotsford Homelessness Count

Preliminary Totals

• Disproportionate numbers
• f homeless persons are in

the 15-19, 30-39, and 40-49, age cohorts.

• Youth homelessness, for

those between the ages of 15-19, is a continuing concern.

7% 12% 12% 14% 14% 11% 11% 12% 10% 27% 28% 15% 7% 2% 15-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70+ General Population Homeless Population

Age Distribution

2014 Abbotsford Homelessness Count

Preliminary Totals

• More men than women are

homeless.

• The general population has 50-

50 gender split.

• Most people are living

unsheltered.

• Sheltered: emergency shelter

(youth and general) & transition house

• Unsheltered: outside,

car/camper and couch surfing

60% 34% 6%

MALE FEMALE UNKNOWN

2014 Gender 25% 75%

SHELTERED UNSHELTERED

2014 Sheltered/Unsheltered

2014 Abbotsford Homelessness Count

Preliminary Totals

• A significant proportion of

homeless persons are on welfare.

• Just under 12% report no

income and 9.7% rely on family and friends for assistance.

• Of those with health issues,

many reported having multiple conditions.

25.8% 19.9% 27.8% 51.7% Medical Condition Physical Disability Mental Illness Addiction

2014 State of Health

21.2% 0.9% 0.9% 3.5% 7.1% 7.1% 9.7% 11.7% 15.9% 16.8% 36.3% Other EI Employment FT CPP Employment PT Panhandling Family/Friends No Income Disability Benefit Binning/Bottling Welfare

2014 Source of Income

2014 Abbotsford Homelessness Count

Preliminary Totals

• Majority of homeless

persons view the lack of affordable housing as a barrier to becoming permanently housed.

9.2% 5.2% 5.2% 6.2% 32.0% 42.2% OTHER EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT/ADVOCAY OVERCOMING ADDICTION INCOME AFFORDABLE HOUSING

What one thing would help end Homelessness for you?

2014 FVRD Homelessness Count

Next Steps

• More detailed analysis of survey data
• Full Report later this year
• Review/identify funding gaps and
• pportunities
• Separate Project: Social Housing Inventory

update

– updating 2009 inventories for each community.