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Listening to Metro Vancouver Residents Who Have Experienced Homelessness
Executive Summary
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to present the perspectives
of people who have experienced homelessness within the
past two years so that decision makers can respond more
effectively. This fourth round of Homeless Voices interviews
included 216 individuals in communities across Metro
Vancouver. Of the 216, 20% identified as female and 32% as
aboriginal. The age range was from 19 to 70, with an average
of age of 43. Almost three quarters of the participants (155)
were living with no fixed address at the time of interview.
The interviews focused on how people became homeless, how
some became housed, and how they felt about their current
living situation.
Where are the homeless from?
The vast majority of homeless people interviewed are
locals. Over 70% of interview participants had lived in Metro
Vancouver for more than 10 years. Less than 9% had lived in
the region for less than 1 year.
How did they become homeless?
The top 3 reasons for ending up without housing were
eviction, inadequate income to pay market rents, and the
low quality of cheaper housing. Almost one third (30%) of
the participants who were currently homeless said it was the
result of eviction or a dispute with their landlord. Many spoke
of their financial circumstances, and how the shelter component
of income assistance was out of line with the rental market. For
example, a 31 year old female who had been homeless for 9
months said: “finding affordable housing is an oxymoron for
those on income assistance. Even with 2 people putting their
rent together, you can’t afford a 1-bedroom.” Many cited the
deplorable conditions in low cost market housing, such as SRO
hotel rooms. Just 12% cited addiction as the reason. Other
reasons included: end of relationship or loss of significant
other; incarceration and release from prison; fleeing abusive
relationships; illness; and being disallowed or cut-off welfare.
Extremely few said they became homeless by choice. Only
3 homeless participants (less than 2%) cited personal choice as
their reason for being homeless, dispelling the myth that people
are homeless because they choose to be.
Where did they sleep?
While homeless, people stayed in shelters (over 90%),
outdoors (over 84%), other people’s places (almost two
thirds), and/or at other locations. Other places participants
said they had slept in included cars, RVs, bathrooms, schools,
tents, squats, ATM lobbies, churches, and a cement mixer.
How did some become housed?
Almost three quarters (42) of the participants who were
housed said that it was the result of outreach services and
related programs. This suggests that homeless outreach
services and agencies are doing a remarkable job. Almost 18%
of participants who were currently housed said that it was the
result of their own initiative. About 10% said that it was the
result of assistance from family and/or friends. Significantly,
almost 7% (4) got housed through Community Court. A 47
year old male said it was ironic that “because of going to
Community Court over a shoplifting charge I’m now going
to have housing.”
How do they feel about their living situation?
Less than 1 in 6 of all participants expressed satisfaction
with their current living situation. An overwhelming majority,
84% of all participants (homeless or housed) expressed some
level of dissatisfaction with their current living situation. For
example, a 27 year old aboriginal female who was living in
market housing and had been homeless for 5 years said: “It’s
better than being homeless but it sucks. I have a baby and
it’s a dump. It’s small, nothing works but it’s difficult to find
something better.”
A large majority of those currently homeless spoke
positively about their shelter experiences. Over 76% of
participants who were currently homeless and gave an opinion
spoke positively about their shelter experience. For example,
a 54 year old male who had been homeless for 7 months said:
“I appreciate these shelters. If it wasn’t for this, God knows
where I’d be. No complaints.” Many, not all, felt that a shelter
is a temporary solution: it is a “roof over our heads” and “better
than being outside,” but “you wouldn’t want to live there very
long.” Clearly, shelters are not homes.
One quarter spoke negatively about their shelter
experiences. Some of the negative comments included a 70
year old aboriginal male who said: “I prefer to live outside to
a shelter because it is cleaner and safer.”
Of those currently housed, almost half were dissatisfied
with their accommodation. For example, a 46 year old male
who had been homeless for 6 months said: “I don’t like the
United Rooms. It’s too small. It’s got bedbugs, cockroaches
and mice problems. Not very clean. I’d like to have a better
place with my own bedroom and bathroom. I’m on disability
so I am willing to pay up to $500. I would like to find a place
outside the DTES so I can stay away from drugs.”
However, people in well run and supportive housing were
very satisfied. For example, a 35 year old aboriginal male
who had been homeless for 1 year said: “the Walton Hotel is
awesome. I love it and wouldn’t give it up for the world. It’s
clean and bug-free. The staff are helpful and respectful.”
And a 45 year old male who had been homeless for 8 years
said: “I currently live at the Jubilee in a renovated room -
safe, secure, clean. The best staff I’ve ever met in my life. In
6 months I’ve reconnected with my family, I’ve reduced my
crack cocaine use from 3-4 days/week to 1.5-2 days/week. I
sleep, replenished. I’m moving to [the Fraser Valley] to do
recovery with my mother …and eventually employment.”
Closing comments
Interviewing 216 homeless and formerly homeless individuals
was a daunting but hugely rewarding task. The participants
were genuinely appreciative of having their opinions solicited
and responded to the questions with patience, respect and
thoughtfulness.
Acknowledgements
A special thanks to all the participants for their insights and
candor. Thanks to the Homeless Voices Working Group: Allison
Jones, Craig Hathaway, Gloria Wilson, James Pratt, Judy
Graves, Karen O’Shannacery, Les Merson, Sam Lehman, and
Tanya Fink. Thanks also to the shelters, agencies and their staff
who assisted with this project. The City of Vancouver and the
Leon and Thea Koerner Foundation made this project possible
through grants to the Greater Vancouver Shelter Strategy.
