According to results of the Greater Vancouver 2023 Point-in-Time Homeless Count, homelessness in the Metro Vancouver region saw sharpest spike between counts since survey began (4,821 people, up 32% from 2020). The report shows Delta had 44 unhoused individuals, compared to 17 found in 2020. In 2023, 17 of Delta’s unhoused individuals were in some type of shelter (stayed in homeless shelters, including transition houses for women fleeing violence and youth safe houses, people with no fixed address (NFA) staying temporarily in hospitals, jails or detox facilities) and 27 were unsheltered individuals (outside or in makeshift accommodation, warming centres, vehicles or couch-surfing).
Humanity: While each story of homelessness is unique, a common theme for people experiencing homelessness is hopelessness. It is difficult to feel hope when you do not have a roof over your head, food on the table and you do not feel like you belong to the community. Being seen, understood and accepted is critical for any human being, including those who experience homelessness. Do your part – be curious and open about why people become homeless and learn how you can help.
Advocacy: Contact your MLA and MP to raise awareness about the need for more programs and resources in Delta to support our unhoused population. There is no permanent shelters or drop-in centres in Delta to help people to find resources or housing. If people need to apply for income supports with the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, they need to go to Surrey as there are no offices in Delta. Advocate for more local resources.
Improving access to food: there are many community commercial kitchens in Delta, but very few FREE community meals available. If you belong to an organization that has a commercial kitchen and would like to do more in our community please contact us at socialplanning@delta.ca to explore a community meal partnership.
Funding: The City of Delta provided seed funding to open three Extreme Weather Shelters in Delta; the City also provides annual funding to various social services agencies to support low-income families, vulnerable seniors and residents who struggle with addictions and youth in crisis.
Community Capacity: In 2021-2023, the City received multi-year funding from the UBCM – Strengthening Communities funding stream to enhance community capacity to serve unhoused population in Delta and address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Various pilot projects were introduced to address homelessness, including Delta-specific Mobile Outreach Team, Food Truck serving hot meals, community learning sessions, staff training and public awareness campaign.
Plans and Policies: In the last two years, the City endorsed two foundational plans to support affordable, supportive and inclusive housing in Delta, including Housing Action Plan (HAS) and Social Action Plan (SAP). Poverty reduction assessment processes and Poverty Reduction Strategy informed many strategic directions in Delta’s SAP, including Housing and Caring For Delta section. As a result of Delta’s HAS, the City developed tenants and rental stock protection policies. More information about policies visit Community Planning page.
Affordable Housing
- Evergreen Lane is an affordable housing development in Ladner that will provide 198 new apartments and townhouses for seniors, families, and people with intellectual disabilities. Affordable Housing Society is the owner and operator of the property and is working with Housing Be Mine Society on the units for people with intellectual disabilities.
- KinVillage is a redevelopment project in Tsawwassen that will increase affordable housing units for seniors to accommodate new residents, without displacing existing ones. The first phase of the redevelopment will provide 152 units with rents secured at affordable rates through BC Housing’s Community Housing Fund. Phase one of the project is currently under construction.
Social Navigator: The Delta Police Department (DPD) introduced a Community Navigator position in 2023 as a resource to front line officers who know the reality of interacting with community members due to their underlying unmet social and health services needs. The navigator provides consistent support, advocating for, and helping individuals navigate the community systems, so that their unmet needs can be addressed by the appropriate systems including housing. Having one individual perform this task allows the DPD to identify gaps in such services and resources throughout our community and work with appropriate stakeholders to advocate for them.
Homelessness Action Week
2023: In partnership with 6 community partners, the City of Delta coordinated free education and information sessions to enhance community capacity to support Delta's homeless population. 67 residents and 36 staff participated in various trainings.
2024: Meetings to strengthen the referral network are being held between key frontline outreach teams who support the unhoused community members. City staff are working with SPARC BC and community organizations to distribute care packages and cell phones to unhoused individuals in Delta.
Supports
- Rental Supports and Mobile Outreach Teams
- Extreme Weather Response shelters in Delta
- Year round shelters Outside of Delta: bc211shelters
- Free and low cost food resources in Delta: Feeding Delta
- Emergency supports and community services in Delta: You Matter to Delta Pocket Guide
- Air-conditioned facilities, water parks, and drinking fountains in Delta: Cooling Sites Brochure
- BC Housing Registry: Low income residents in BC who are eligible may qualify for subsidized housing. More affordable housing options: Subsidized Housing.
- After hours emergency supports for individuals on income assistance (emergency need for food, lodging, and transportation): 4:00pm to 12:30am, (604) 660-3194 | 12:30am to 8:30am, 1-800-663-9122
FREE Naloxone Kits in Delta: Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a safe and highly effective medication that reverses the effects of opioid drug poisoning. You can get it in multiple locations:
- Lookout Mobile Harm Reduction Outreach Team, (604) 328-7610
- South Delta Public Health Unit 1826-4949 Canoe Pass Way, (604) 952-3550
- North Delta Public Health Unit 11245 84 Ave, (604) 507-5400
- Deltassist 9097 120 St, (604) 594-3455
BC Centre for Disease Control offers Naloxone training and other resources
Services
- Elizabeth Fry Society and Lookout Housing and Health Society Reaching Home Program (Available until March 2026): Delivered in partnership between Elizabeth Fry Society and Lookout Housing and Health Society, the program offers a variety of services to Delta residents who are facing eviction, currently living on the street or are at-risk of homelessness. Case Workers are available to help you find housing and can offer other supports. Learn more about the Federally Funded Program. Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm; Contact: (604)-657-8404, (604)-202-8708 or (604)-209-1214. The program is offered in Delta from June 2024 to March 2026.
- Fraser Health: Integrated Homelessness Action Response Team (IHART): Low barrier, in-reach wrap-around care for individuals living in shelters, encampments or on the streets who are not connected to another health care team. Services are offered 7 days a week. Contact 604-613-8915 or IHARTSurrey@fraserhealth.ca
- The Lookout Society: Mobile Harm Reduction Outreach Teams: Harm reduction supplies are delivered to groups, individuals and organizations throughout Langley, Aldergrove, Delta and White Rock. This program offers naloxone training and can connect unhoused individuals to various health professionals, community resources and housing. Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-11:00pm | Saturday- Sunday, 3:00pm-11:00pm; Contact: (604) 328-7610
- Options Mobile Outreach Team: Residents facing eviction who are currently living on the street or are at-risk of homelessness, Outreach Workers are available to help find housing, health and income support services. Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm; Contact: (604)-765-6751, Hylandoutreach@options.bc.ca