Homelessness in Richmond


Many factors may lead someone to experience homelessness, including lack of income, access to affordable housing and medical services, traumatic events, addiction issues, physical health problems and mental health concerns. Homelessness is a consequence of one or more of these causes that results in physical and psychological suffering, often resulting in significant trauma.

The City of Richmond is committed to working in partnership with senior levels of government and the private and non-profit sectors to help meet the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness in Richmond. Recognizing that senior levels of government have the primary responsibility of providing funding for homeless prevention programs, services and affordable housing, the City is committed to remaining a local leader that works with community organizations to ensure that homelessness in Richmond is rare, brief and non-recurring.

Homelessness Strategy

On Sep 9, 2019, the Richmond Homelessness Strategy 2019-2029 was adopted by City Council. This strategy was informed through extensive public engagement activities and is guiding City staff and community actions regarding homelessness service provision over the 10-year period. The Homelessness Strategy 2019-2029 provides the following vision statement:

"By 2029, homelessness in Richmond will be rare, brief and non-recurring. Richmond is an inclusive community that works in collaboration to provide a continuum of housing and support services.”

To achieve this vision, the strategy provides five strategic directions and 32 related actions:

  1. Prevent pathways into homelessness.
  2. Support residents who are experiencing homelessness.
  3. Provide pathways out of homelessness.
  4. Foster collaboration and capacity-building among community partners.
  5. Communicate, research and monitor homelessness.

The City partners with numerous community stakeholders to undertake the recommended actions outlined in the Homelessness Strategy 2019-2029. Annual update reports to City Council (provided below) highlight ongoing progress in implementing this Strategy.

Homelessness Strategy 2019-2029 - 2023 Update
Homelessness Strategy 2019-2029 - 2022 Update
Homelessness Strategy 2019-2029 - 2021 Update
Homelessness Strategy 2019-2029 - 2020 Update

Current Initiatives 

Drop-In Centre

In partnership with Turning Point Recovery Society, the City opened a Drop-In Centre and Shower Program at the centrally located Brighouse Pavilion at 7840 Granville Avenue. The Drop-In Centre is open Mon to Fri from 8:00am to 8:00pm, providing day-time support, such as computers and computer literacy training and access to the internet, as well as SMART addiction recovery, service navigation and referral, warm drinks, snacks and lunches. The Shower Program includes laundry services and is open Mon to Fri from 8:00am to 8:00pm. The Drop-In Centre and Shower Program welcome people experiencing homelessness on a drop-in basis.

The Richmond Homelessness Outreach Team

The City of Richmond’s Homelessness Outreach Team provides community-based street outreach to people experiencing homelessness. Outreach Workers are available during the day, evening and on weekends. Outreach Workers work directly in the community to meet clients wherever they are located in Richmond. This gives people access to supports, information and assistance without having to travel to a specific location.

Supports that Outreach Workers can provide to individuals may include:

• Information about finding emergency shelter for a place to sleep, eat and wash.
• Immediate help such as referrals to Richmond Hospital Emergency or Richmond Urgent Care locations, and/or emergency first aid.
• Information about the Richmond Drop-in Centre, which provides snacks and lunch, access to computers and the internet, showers, laundry, information, resources and referrals.
• Emotional support and, where requested, connections to culturally appropriate services.
• Assistance with case planning, including developing housing or health related goals.
• Assistance to obtain identification, access other government services or secure income through government sources such as income assistance, old age pension, person with disabilities benefits.
• Help with referrals to other supports, including mental health, physical health and substance use related programs.
• Assistance with housing, including support with the application process, viewings and move-in support, and connections to housing providers or landlords
• Providing connections to programs in Richmond to support housing stability, including rent supplements and referrals for supportive housing.
• Referrals to support services, shelter, health care and harm reduction supplies, counselling, addiction recovery, detox, treatment, access to clothing and meal programs.

When to request the help of the Richmond Homelessness Team:

• To share a concern that an individual may be in need of assistance.
• To request information, supports or referrals for someone in the community.
• To provide information on where an individual experiencing homelessness may be sheltering in order to connect them with outreach.

Homelessness Outreach Team 
homelessness@richmond.ca604-276-4243 

 

Complementary Initiatives

Community Conversation

In June 2022 and February 2023, Richmond residents came together for a series of community conversations about the circumstance of homelessness in Richmond. Together, community members explored the factors that contribute to homelessness, shared hopes for the future, and generated ideas about how to create a more connected, inclusive community. A self-guided exploration about the circumstance of homelessness in Richmond is available. 


Safety and Public Spaces

The City continues monitoring public spaces to ensure they remain clean and safe for all residents. The City has an established process to dispose of needles safely. If a needle is found in a public space, notify the City's Public Works Department for disposal at 604-270-8721 (24-hour line). In addition, Vancouver Coastal Health provides information regarding safe needle disposal on its website.

Statistics

Homeless Counts are conducted across Metro Vancouver every three years. The most recent count was in March 2023. The 2023 Metro Vancouver Homeless Count (13MB) identified a minimum of 162 individuals experiencing homelessness in Richmond. Increases in numbers of people experiencing homelessness have been seen across Metro Vancouver. The City is working closely with community partners to reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness in Richmond.

Resources

In addition to the documents and homeless service providers above, the following list provides links and web addresses to frequently used websites:

Information

Chris Duggan
Manager, Community Social DevelopmentChris.Duggan@richmond.ca604-204-8621