Homelessness Prevention & Response Plan
We are creating a new plan to understand and address homelessness in Surrey.
In December 2022, Council approved a strategic approach to develop a new Homelessness Prevention and Response Plan.
This plan will replace the 2013 Master Plan for Housing the Homeless in Surrey and will outline community need and housing targets to support individuals who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Surrey.
Project timeline
- Completed
- Started
- Pending
Background research & data collection
- Review current policy context
- Collect quantitative data
Engagement
- Confirm the City of Surrey’s role as a champion
- Listen and learn from equity-deserving groups and people with lived and living experience of homelessness
- Engage with local groups including: homelessness services providers; affordable housing sector; business sector; provincial and federal funding partners and ministries; Fraser Health Authority; Indigenous organizations; and other key informants
Developing & refining the plan
- Develop a coordinated prevention and response strategy
- Establish partnerships with senior government
Finalizing the plan
- Propose an implementation and management framework
- Present to Council
Contact
Christa Brown, Housing Planner
Housing & Social Development Department
Email: socialplanning@surrey.ca
Key documents
- Finding Our Way Home: Indigenous experiences of homelessness in Surrey
- 2023 Homeless Count in Greater Vancouver: Final Data Report
- Master Plan for Housing the Homeless in Surrey
- Master Plan Appendix A: Situation Report
- Master Plan Appendix B: Good Practices
- North Surrey Homelessness Resources
- Homelessness Prevention Response Plan: Engagement Summary
Connected strategies
- Affordable Housing Strategy
- Surrey Housing Needs Report
- Vulnerable Women and Girls Working Group
- Surrey Poverty Reduction Strategy
- Surrey Urban Indigenous Strategy
Homelessness in Surrey
In March 2023, the Homeless Count in Greater Vancouver identified 1060 individuals who were homeless in Surrey. Of these, 759 were sheltered (including 109 sheltered in Extreme Weather Response shelters) and 301 were living on the streets. Due to the limitations of counting the Surrey homeless population, it is widely accepted as an undercount.
The City of Surrey will continue to work collaboratively with BC Housing and Fraser Health, and the community agencies that serve people that are experiencing homelessness, in order to address homelessness and the related issues of mental health and addictions.
Surrey Homelessness & Housing Fund
In June 2007, Surrey City Council approved the creation of the Surrey Homelessness and Housing Fund; $9 million from the City’s Affordable Housing Reserves was used to establish the fund. The fund is used to support Surrey-made solutions to homelessness and affordable housing issues in Surrey.
Get involved
- Do you donate to homeless people on the street - food, blankets, clothing? Re-create how you donate to increase the impact of your donations.
- Learn about the community resources in North Surrey for Surrey residents experiencing homelessness.