Women’s Homelessness in Vancouver 2025 Rises 34%, Report Finds

When Vancouver’s newest homeless count was released in September 2025, one number stood out. The total number of women and gender-diverse people experiencing homelessness had jumped 34 percent in just two years.

Behind that rise are situations that are less visible in public space. Many of the women counted were not living in encampments or shelters. They were sleeping in cars, on friends’ couches, or in temporary spaces that felt safe for a night but not much longer.

The 2025 Point-in-Time Homeless Count in Greater Vancouver, led by the Homelessness Services Association of BC and Lu’ma Native Housing Society, captured a regional total of 5,232 people without stable housing. The report highlights a safety and visibility gap that is difficult to measure within a 24-hour snapshot.

A Sharp Increase in Women Experiencing Homelessness

The 2025 count found that women and gender-diverse people made up a growing share of Metro Vancouver’s homeless population. While men still represent most of those surveyed, the rate of increase among women is higher than any other group.

Vancouver saw the sharpest overall jump, with 2,715 people identified as homeless compared to 2,420 in 2023. Across the region, unsheltered homelessness rose 22 percent, meaning more people are sleeping outdoors or in unsafe temporary situations instead of in shelters.

Safety Risks and Barriers for Women on the Street

Women and gender-diverse people experience homelessness in ways that are less visible. The 2025 count records unsheltered stays that include sleeping outdoors, in vehicles, and temporarily with others, which can reduce contact with services.

The report notes the Point-in-Time method undercounts hidden homelessness. It also shows that 17 percent of unsheltered respondents were staying with others on the count night, a pattern that can mask risk and limit access to support.

Evictions and Income: How Women Fall Into Homelessness

Economic pressures remain the largest driver of housing loss. In the 2025 count, 42 percent of respondents said their most recent experience of homelessness began with an eviction. The leading reasons were not enough income, conflict with landlords, or substance use.

For women earning low wages or relying on income assistance, even a modest rent increase can trigger displacement. The 2023 provincial data showed a similar pattern across B.C., confirming that homelessness is most often a result of financial strain rather than sudden life events.

Indigenous Women Disproportionately Affected

Indigenous people continue to face a disproportionate burden. They represent 34 percent of those counted in the 2025 Metro Vancouver report, despite making up only about 2 percent of the regional population.

Among women, the overrepresentation is even greater. Indigenous women often face intersecting barriers such as intergenerational trauma, discrimination, and limited access to culturally safe housing. Indigenous-led organizations like Lu’ma Native Housing Society are leading new initiatives, but demand still far outpaces available resources.

Mental Health, Substance Use, and Support Gaps

Mental health and substance-use challenges remain closely linked to homelessness. In 2025, 81 percent of respondents reported experiencing one or both issues, with over half reporting both.

Women and gender-diverse people with trauma histories often struggle to find support that feels safe or tailored to their needs. The report notes that limited access to women-only or trauma-informed shelters continues to keep many at risk and off the radar of service networks.

Where Do We Go From Here?

The 2025 count offers a clearer picture but not a solution. Governments and service providers are expanding supportive housing programs and crisis-response systems through the federal Reaching Home initiative, but shelter capacity remains limited.

The data points to an ongoing need for safer spaces, stable income supports, and affordable housing options that reflect the realities women face. As the city heads into another winter, Vancouver’s homelessness crisis is no longer just about rising numbers—it is about who is being seen, and who still isn’t.