The Hollyburn Community Services Society is deeply concerned about the findings from the 2025 Preliminary Point-in-Time Homeless Count in Greater Vancouver, which highlights a significant increase in unsheltered homelessness on the North Shore.
The data underscore the urgent need for more deeply affordable housing options to address the growing housing crisis in our community.
The report reveals that unsheltered homelessness on the North Shore has surged by 67% since 2023, with 85 individuals living without shelter. At the same time, the number of sheltered individuals has decreased by 29%, indicating a troubling gap in accessible housing and shelter spaces. While the report suggests the total of number of people experiencing homelessness on the North Shore has remained stable at 168, the shift toward unsheltered living conditions is a clear sign that current housing solutions are insufficient.
“This data demonstrates the reality we witness every day through our frontline work”, said Mark Friesen, Executive Director of Hollyburn Community Services Society. “The increase in unsheltered homelessness reflects the growing affordability gap in our housing market. Our staff see many individuals and families being pushed out of safe and stable housing due to skyrocketing rents and a lack of deeply affordable options. We must act to ensure everyone in our community has access to a home they can afford.”
While The Point-in-Time Homeless Count is a vital snapshot of homelessness trends over a 24-hour period, the data does not provide a holistic assessment of the total number of individuals who are experiencing homelessness in any given community.
Hollyburn Community Services Society remains committed to working collaboratively with partners to address homelessness and housing insecurity on the North Shore. The Society urges community members to advocate for deeply affordable and non-market housing solutions and support initiatives that create lasting change.