Homelessness in the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) has been empirically confirmed in 2004, 2008, 2011, 2014, and again in 2017 through tri-annual surveys of people who live homeless. The 2017 homelessness survey in the FVRD was completed. Homelessness has been a systemic Canadian problem since the 1980s (Gaetz, 2011). Prior to this, there were homeless persons, but the issue intensified following economic and policy changes regarding the social safety net, housing provision and the role of the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Commission (CMHC). Since significant issues with homelessness in Canada developed later than in other countries around the world, policy development has lagged. While numerous definitions of homelessness exist worldwide, it was not until 2012 that the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness (COH) introduced a national definition.

This was an important step because the definition of a problem shapes how it is to be solved (Gaetz, 2011). Consequently, the COH defines homelessness as “[describing] the situation of an individual or family without stable, permanent, appropriate housing, or the immediate prospect, means and ability of acquiring it.” (Canadian Observatory on Homelessness [COH], 2012, p. 1). Furthermore, the COH identified a typology with four physical living situations: 1) Unsheltered, or absolutely homeless and living on the streets or in places not intended for human habitation; 2) Emergency Sheltered, including those staying in overnight shelters for people who are homeless, as well as shelters for those impacted by family violence; 3) Provisionally Accommodated, referring to those whose accommodation is temporary or lacks security of tenure, and finally, 4) At Risk of Homelessness, referring to people who are not homeless, but whose current economic and/or housing situation is precarious or does not meet public health and safety standards (COH, 2012, p 1),