Understanding Youth Homelessness
Youth homelessness is a significant issue in the Lower Mainland and across Canada.
According to the 2025 Homeless Count in Greater Vancouver:
- At least 5,232 individuals in the region are homeless, up 9% compared to 2023
- Overall, homelessness is up 141% since the homeless counts began in 2005
- Youth under the age of 25 accounted for 6% of the total homeless population counted (172 in total). Of those, exactly half were unsheltered — the highest rate of unsheltered amongst any age group
According to The Homeless Hub:
- There may be as many as 7,000 homeless youth on any given night
- The Government of Canada estimates 1 in 5 shelter users in this country are youth between the ages of 16 and 24
- There is significant overrepresentation amongst homeless youth who identify as 2SLGBTQAI+. They are estimated to make up 25-40% of the youth homeless population, compared to only 5-10% of the general population
- There is significant overrepresentation of Aboriginal youth
- over 40% of homeless youth have been involved with the child welfare system
There are many reasons why youth may experience homelessness including:
- Familial Breakdown or Conflicts: Usually youth leave home after a conflict with a member of their family, or they have chosen or been forced to leave an unsafe, abusive, neglectful or otherwise untenable situation.
- Poverty, lack of access to jobs, or unstable housing: Larger factors outside of the control of the family can push youth to leave home or create conflict within the home.
- Discrimination: Homophobia, transphobia, bullying, and racism may also push youth to leave home
- System Failures: challenges within child protection or foster care that leads to breakdowns at home.
- Housing Affordability: Vancouver has been named “impossibly unaffordable” according to the 2024 Demographia International Housing Affordability Report. The increasing unemployment rate, lack of rental housing, and challenges entering the market put youth at increased risk of housing instability and homelessness.
How We Help
Covenant House Vancouver’s vision is to end youth homelessness.
We’re more than just a shelter, we offer a one-size-fits-one approach to address the needs of young people whose overlapping mental health, substance use, trauma, medical health, and other challenges require specialized support.
Youth need a space that is psychologically, emotionally, and physically safe in order for them to heal. At Covenant House Vancouver, young people have a place to call home and receive the care they need when they need it.
Key populations we serve include:
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Indigenous Youth
Covenant House Vancouver is committed to advancing reconciliation with First Nations and Indigenous communities. We acknowledge, with gratitude, that our work takes place […]
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2SLGBTQIA+ Youth
Covenant House Vancouver strives to be a safe and inclusive space for all youth. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, gender non-binary and two […]
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Newcomer Youth
We saw an increase in newcomers who accessed our programs and services during the pandemic. It has not lessened since then. In […]
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We also support youth who have experienced trafficking:
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About Human Trafficking
Get Help Now Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: What is Human Trafficking Human trafficking (sex, labour, and organ trafficking) involves recruiting, transporting, harbouring, […]
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