Homeless Youth in Greater Vancouver Are Facing a Support Gap

Homelessness is a hot topic in the Lower Mainland. However, 13- to 24-year-olds are rarely centred in those conversations. When they are, outcomes improve for everyone: fewer people enter adulthood homeless, public systems spend less on crisis and young people get the stable launch into adulthood that every human deserves.

Family Services of Greater Vancouver (FSGV) has been supporting unhoused youth for more than 30 years. From the vantage point of an organization doing this work 24/7, 365 days a year, it’s time to move beyond sympathy and start building—at scale—solutions that work.

In the Vancouver area, the majority of shelter spaces are 19+ with limited dedicated youth beds. Some 100 youth-specific shelter beds are available on a given night. Yet, according to the latest count, there are 172 unhoused youth in Greater Vancouver. The bottom line? Demand exceeds supply.

Beyond capacity, the type of support young people receive is critical. Through its Directions Youth Services Drop-In Centre, FSGV provides youth with low-barrier access. Youth can walk in at any hour. They don’t need identification, and they don’t need to be sober. They can show up with their partner or their pet. No matter when or how, they will receive care.

FSGV built this model in consultation with youth. For years, staff have met with the Youth Advisory Council for feedback, listening to what youth want and need, and what is and isn’t working. The young people visiting Directions have varying needs. However, they consistently emphasize the importance of 24/7, low-barrier and varied resources all in one place. That’s why the Directions Drop-In Centre puts so many supports under one roof. And it’s why FSGV says the community should keep investing in models like this—ones that work.

Truly supporting unhoused youth needs to be done with an investment of time. Direct-service organizations see impacts immediately, but the broader community may not see large-scale impacts for years. Close to half of the unhoused adult population first experienced homelessness under the age of 25. Imagine the preventative, long-term impact of supporting those young people before their pathways become entrenched.

Every life impacted is worth it. The gap between the number of youth beds available and the number of youth who need them tells a story. Our Vancouver community has work to do. The sooner we invest in the most vulnerable youth in our neighbourhoods, the sooner we change that story.

Learn more about FSGV’s work at fsgv.ca.

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