Preventing and reducing homelessness: An integrated data project

 Annual Estimates of the Homeless Population in B.C. are included in the Data Catalogue release.

The table below shows the homeless estimates in relation to the total provincial population. It is important to note that 2020 was the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted the estimates of homelessness because of reduced shelter usage. The rate of homelessness increased between 2020 and 2023, but most recently fell slightly in 2024. 

Also included in the Annual Estimates of the Homeless Population in B.C. are the annual estimates by chronicity category (chronic vs. non-chronic homelessness). Chronic homelessness here is defined as receiving income or disability assistance with no fixed address for 6 months or more, having spent 180 days or more in a shelter, or having three or more unique shelter visits (unique visits are separated by at least 30 days).

Increases in homelessness over time have been driven by increases in chronic homelessness, with estimates growing from 11,390 people experiencing chronic homelessness in 2019 to 19,344 people in 2024. Growth in non-chronic homelessness has been limited, from 13,030 in 2019 to 13,642 in 2024.

Also included in the Annual Estimates of the Homeless Population in B.C. are the annual estimates by age (0-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55+) and gender (man, woman) categories.

While people identified as experiencing homelessness are mostly men (65% in 2024), estimates of women experiencing homelessness rose faster from 2021 to 2023. 2024 saw an even rate of increase across genders (+2%).

In terms of age, people identified in the estimates are mostly aged 25-54 (69% in 2024). The largest increase since 2019 has been for people aged 35-44 (+53%). In 2024, growth was limited to those aged 35+, while the estimates of those under 35 decreased. However, some populations may be less likely to be identified by administrative data (including groups more likely to experience “hidden homelessness”).

Also included in the Annual Estimates of the Homeless Population in B.C. are the annual estimates by Census Division, though some Census Divisions have been combined to meet the disclosure and privacy policies of the Data Innovation Program. Growth / reduction in estimates of homelessness vary by region; regional estimates for 2021 inform Component B of communities’ Housing Needs Reports (PDF, 371 KB).

Monthly estimates are also included in the Data Catalogue release, disaggregated by how individuals were identified in the data (on income or disability assistance with no fixed address for 3+ consecutive months, shelter use, or both).

How individuals were identified as experiencing homelessness has changed over time. While the number of individuals identified fully or in part through access to BC Housing funded emergency shelters has remained fairly stable (and is limited by shelter bed capacity), the number of individuals with no fixed address but no shelter stays has risen steadily since 2019.

The overview below describes analyses to investigate how people move in and out of annual estimates of homelessness over time.

• Overview of Findings: Flows in Annual Homelessness (PDF, 290 KB)

After an initial decline in homelessness in 2020, outflow grew over time, but struggled to keep pace with the growth in inflow. Net flow continued to grow accordingly, and faster than the overall population, resulting in a growing rate of homelessness over time. These trends reversed going into 2024, with a reduction in inflow, and a relatively larger increase in outflow. Additional analyses introduce additional patterns in and out of annual homelessness, to inform further study and future policy.

The number of individuals identified as experiencing homelessness were examined using the administrative data in multiple different Census Divisions in the same calendar year. In B.C., Census Divisions correspond to the Regional Districts (and the unincorporated Stikine Region in the northwestern corner of the Province).

Most people experiencing homelessness stay in one Census Division (region) during the year. Only a small number were identified in multiple regions, and this pattern has remained fairly stable over time. This is similar to what people report in B.C. Homeless Counts.

This analysis explored the use of “crisis intervention services” in British Columbia by residents of BC Housing funded supportive housing facilities compared to people identified as experiencing homelessness. Rates of emergency department visits, hospital admissions, and incarceration in B.C. correctional facilities were compared.

Across each service, average monthly use rates were lower among residents of supportive housing compared to individuals identified as experiencing homelessness.

• Overview of Findings: Emergency Department Use (PDF, 127 KB)
• Overview of Findings: Hospital Admissions  (PDF, 89 KB)
• Overview of Findings: Incarceration Rates  (PDF, 100 KB)

Additional information on the analysis is available in the Crisis Intervention Services Methods Document (PDF, 171 KB). 

The overview document below describes analyses to estimate the number of Indigenous people experiencing homelessness in B.C. using self-reported information in provincial administrative data for social assistance and shelters from 2019 to 2021. 

• Overview of Findings: Indigenous Homelessness (PDF, 231 KB)

As has been found in past B.C. Homeless Counts, Indigenous peoples make up a much larger share of those experiencing homelessness in B.C. than they do in the general population.

BC Stats is the provincial government's leader in statistical and economic research, information and analysis. BC Stats has provided the necessary infrastructure to conduct this research with the Data Innovation Program. Additionally, BC Stats has provided data science capacity and expertise to this project, supporting the generation of annual estimates of the population experiencing homelessness in B.C.

BC Housing is a Crown corporation that supports social housing, affordable housing, rent supplements, emergency shelters and outreach for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. BC Housing reports to the Ministry of Housing

The Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs is responsible for providing British Columbians access to more affordable, safe and appropriate housing through policy and programs, technical codes and standards, and services for landlords and tenants. The Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs is responsible for overseeing the implementation of Belonging in BC, the Province’s multi-ministry plan to prevent and reduce homelessness.

As the Ministry responsible for income and disability assistance, the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction focuses on providing British Columbians in need with a system of supports to help them achieve their social and economic potential.