Addressing Homelessness Issues in the FVRD

Transcription

1 May 13, 2014

2 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.

3 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.

4 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.

5 2014 FVRD Homelessness Count FVRD Homeless Count Number surveyed 2004 to 2014 Total number of homeless persons in Region remained flat from 2011in the FVRD. Total FVRD Change In Abbotsford, the 2014 total is still well below the high of 235 homeless people counted in Abbotsford has seen the greatest increase within the FVRD since 2011 (29%)

6 2014 Abbotsford Homelessness Count Previous Community Consistent with 2011 count the majority of homeless persons (70%) have come to the FVRD from elsewhere. OUT OF COUNTRY 1% OUT PROVINCE 24% FVRD 30% BC-OTHER 20% Metro Vancouver 25%

7 2014 Abbotsford Homelessness Count Nearly 40% of homeless individuals in Abbotsford have lived here for over 10 years. Length of Residency in Current City 10+ YEARS 5-10 YEARS 8.6% 38.4% 2-5 YEARS 8.6% Only 1 in 10 people who are homeless in Abbotsford have lived here for less than 6 months 1-2 YEARS 6-12 MONTHS 0-6 MONTHS 4.0% 4.6% 9.9%

8 2014 Abbotsford Homelessness Count Disproportionate numbers of homeless persons are in the 15-19, 30-39, and 40-49, age cohorts. Age Distribution 27% 28% General Population Homeless Population Youth homelessness, for those between the ages of 15-19, is a continuing concern. 7% 12% 12% 12% 10% 15% 14% 14% 11% 11% 7% 2%

9 2014 Abbotsford Homelessness Count More men than women are homeless. The general population has gender split. 60% 2014 Gender 34% 6% Most people are living unsheltered. Sheltered: emergency shelter (youth and general) & transition house MALE FEMALE UNKNOWN 2014 Sheltered/Unsheltered 75% 25% Unsheltered: outside, car/camper and couch surfing SHELTERED UNSHELTERED

10 2014 Abbotsford Homelessness Count 2014 Source of Income 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. Welfare Binning/Bottling Disability Benefit No Income Family/Friends Panhandling Employment PT CPP Employment FT EI Other 0.9% 0.9% 3.5% 16.8% 15.9% 11.7% 9.7% 7.1% 7.1% 21.2% 36.3% Of those with health issues, many reported having multiple conditions. Addiction Mental Illness Physical Disability 2014 State of Health 27.8% 19.9% 51.7% Medical Condition 25.8%

11 2014 Abbotsford Homelessness Count Majority of homeless persons view the lack of affordable housing as a barrier to becoming permanently housed. AFFORDABLE HOUSING INCOME What one thing would help end Homelessness for you? 32.0% 42.2% OVERCOMING ADDICTION 6.2% SUPPORT/ADVOCAY 5.2% EMPLOYMENT 5.2% OTHER 9.2%

12 2014 FVRD Homelessness Count Next Steps More detailed analysis of survey data Full Report later this year Review/identify funding gaps and opportunities Separate Project: Social Housing Inventory update updating 2009 inventories for each community.

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