Our Work on Homelessness
In 2008, Vancouver Foundation targeted homelessness as its most urgent priority area.
The region's homeless population had been growing. In the most recent Metro Vancouver Homeless Count, the number of homeless people in Vancouver surged 22% from 2005 to 2008. Residents are growing concerned and have identified housing and homelessness as one of the top priorities for our region in Vancouver Foundation's Vital Signs survey.
Vancouver Foundation is tackling this issue from several angles, but our primary focus is youth homelessness, because that is where we can make the most difference.
Vancouver Foundation's Youth Homelessness Initiative
For young people on Vancouver’s streets, being homeless could be the beginning of a lifetime of homelessness.
While many community organizations focus on crisis services such as providing beds, clothing or food, Vancouver Foundation saw an opportunity to play a pro-active role in preventing youth homelessness.
Our Youth Homelessness Initiative helps Vancouver Foundation donors support innovative projects that break the cycle of homelessness for our most vulnerable young people. Studies show people who live their lives on and off the street cost society $55,000 to $135,000 a year in public services like policing, emergency services and jails.
By helping young people now, we make a major difference in their lives, while potentially saving millions of public dollars.
The programs supported by our donors help youth access housing, while providing support services to help them get on their feet. We have committed to giving $1.5 million over four years to support programs in this area, but it is not enough. Right now an estimated 700 young people are homeless in Vancouver, with many more estimated to be homeless in Metro Vancouver, and they need more help.
Your support now has the potential to make a difference... for the rest of their lives.
News, Stories and Resources
Other projects
Vancouver Foundation is also supporting other organizations that are tackling homelessness in new ways.
Streetohome
Vancouver Foundation provided $500,000 funding to create an organization called Streetohome, along with the City of Vancouver and the Province of BC.
Streetohome takes a different tack on homelessness - raising private money to help buy more units of housing for people who are homeless. It launched in February 2009, with the goal of making it possible for all homeless people in Vancouver to have access to safe, decent, affordable housing with support services.
Mental Health Commission of Canada
Vancouver Foundation is working with the Canada Mental Health Commission on a new research project to determine how best to help mentally ill people who are homeless and struggling with addictions.
This four-year project plans to house and provide support for 300 homeless people in our city, in order to determine the most effective strategies to help them stay off the streets and reintegrate into society. Based on the Housing First philosophy, the project will provide people a place to live first, rather than requiring that they deal with their addictions or mental health issues first.
For more information, contact the Project's Site Coordinator for Vancouver, Catharine Hume
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Support Youth Homelessness
Talk with us about how you can contribute. Your support now has the potential to make a difference... for the rest of their lives.
Apply for Funding
This program provides grants to organizations that are targeting the complex issue of youth homelessness.
Youth Homelessness by Numbers
Estimate of homeless youth in our city: 700
Shelter beds dedicated specifically to youth in our city: 165
Average rent for a bachelor apartment in our city: $736
