Surrey, BC—The number of homeless individuals in Surrey has surged by 65% over the past three years, with the 2023 Greater Vancouver Homeless Count recording 1,060 people experiencing homelessness in the city. Following Vancouver, Surrey now has the second-highest rate of homelessness in the region, a troubling trend exacerbated by the city’s rapid population growth and lack of adequate housing solutions.
Mayor Brenda Locke highlighted the city’s ongoing challenges in addressing homelessness, pointing out a significant gap in non-market housing. “Surrey continues to be underserved in the number of non-market housing units compared to the Metro Vancouver region,” Locke stated. “On a per capita basis, Surrey’s non-market housing units represent only one-third of the Metro Vancouver average. To close that gap, Surrey will need more than 2,300 new shelter spaces and non-market housing units over the next five years. We need increased support from the Province to achieve this target. Surrey cannot be left behind, again.”
In response, Surrey has introduced the ‘Pathway to Home: Surrey Homelessness Prevention + Response Plan’ , a comprehensive roadmap aimed at tackling homelessness over the next five years. The plan sets targets across four key housing types: shelter spaces, transitional housing, supportive housing, and independent non-market housing. Additionally, it includes an Implementation Framework to guide the City and its partners in meeting these goals.
The plan, based on data from the 2023 Homeless Count, estimates that Surrey will require 2,326 new shelter spaces and housing units by 2030. Beyond housing, the plan emphasizes the importance of a coordinated homelessness services system, providing individuals with timely access to housing, services, and support.