Delta reports a 70% rise in homelessness, the highest in Metro Vancouver, according to the 2025 Greater Vancouver Homeless Count released July 30.
Homelessness Rising Sharply in Metro Vancouver
A 70% surge in homelessness in Delta marks the most dramatic increase across Metro Vancouver, according to the preliminary 2025 Greater Vancouver Point-in-Time Homeless Count released on July 30. The findings reveal a troubling regional trend, with White Rock and Surrey also reporting higher numbers of residents without stable housing.
Regional Data Reveals Alarming Trends
The count, conducted over a 24-hour period in March, documented 75 individuals experiencing homelessness in Delta—up from 44 in 2023. White Rock saw a 53% increase, rising from 17 to 26 people. Surrey reported a modest 2% increase, with 1,078 people counted in 2025 compared to 1,060 in 2023. The total number of people experiencing homelessness in the Greater Vancouver area rose by 9%—the highest since the count began.
Unsheltered Homelessness on the Rise
This year’s data points to a shift in housing insecurity, with a growing number of individuals living without any form of shelter. The report found that 1,893 people across Metro Vancouver were unsheltered on the night of March 10—up 30% from 2023. Delta recorded a 115% increase in unsheltered individuals, followed by White Rock at 64% and Surrey at 46%.
Demographic Breakdown Highlights Vulnerabilities
The 2025 count surveyed individuals across 16 municipalities and found that 72% of respondents were between the ages of 25 and 54, while 20% were aged 55 and older. Racial disparities were also noted—60% of those experiencing homelessness identified as white, and 9% as Black.
Crucially, Indigenous people continue to be overrepresented, making up 34% of the homeless population despite representing a much smaller portion of the general population. Of the 1,068 Indigenous respondents in 2025, 54% were unsheltered.
Challenges in Addressing Indigenous Homelessness
Experts warn that the numbers, though extensive, may underrepresent the true scope—particularly among Indigenous populations. “These counts are definitely the best tool we have to understand who is living without housing and why, but they have limitations,” said David Wells, Chair of the Indigenous Homelessness Steering Committee for Greater Vancouver.
Shelter Capacity Failing to Meet Demand
While some municipalities reported changes in shelter use, the overall findings suggest that existing infrastructure is falling short. White Rock experienced a 33% rise in sheltered individuals. Surrey, however, saw a decline, with 120 fewer people accessing shelters. Delta reported no change in sheltered homelessness figures between 2023 and 2025.
“This indicates that shelter capacity is insufficient,” noted Lorraine Copas, Chair of the Greater Vancouver Community Advisory Board for Reaching Home, a federal initiative addressing homelessness.
Count Methodology and Funding
The count was conducted by volunteers and coordinated by the Homelessness Services Association of BC and Infocus Consulting, with funding from the federal government’s Homelessness Strategy program and the Lu’ma Native Housing Society. Individuals were considered “sheltered” if they were in a temporary housing facility or institutional care. Those staying outdoors, in vehicles, or couch surfing were classified as “unsheltered.”
Full Report Coming in September
The final and more detailed version of the 2025 Homeless Count will be released in mid-September. Until then, the preliminary findings serve as a stark reminder of the growing housing crisis across Metro Vancouver—especially in communities like Delta, where the rise has been the most pronounced.
