The number of people experiencing homelessness in Abbotsford has risen over the past year, emphasizing the urgent need for more resources and supports from senior levels of government that are mandated to address housing and health needs.
On Oct. 14 the City of Abbotsford released its 2025 Point-in-Time Homeless Count.
The count was done by Mennonite Central Committee BC and local service providers and community partners on Oct. 1. It found that there are 654 people experiencing homelessness in Abbotsford, compared to 465 in 2024. The increase is due to both a rise in the number of individuals without stable housing and changes in how they were identified and recorded. These changes included counting people even if they declined to complete a survey, visiting more locations due to fewer administrative requirements, and using count data provided by BC Housing.
The result of this year’s count is very concerning to us on Council and underscores the critical need for more shelter spaces in our community, particularly through the colder months when the limited capacity we do have is stretched thin. Right now, Abbotsford has approximately 204 year-round shelter beds and 10 extreme weather beds, but we’re anticipating another 65 beds will become available in the coming weeks pending Provincial budget approvals. However, at the same time, the Province recently closed the 50-bed shelter on Lonzo Road despite advocacy from both the community and the City.
Homelessness continues to be one of the most complex and challenging issues facing our community and communities across BC. Through our Homelessness Action Plan, the City is working to enhance coordinated access among service providers, expand community-based services and programs, strengthen outreach efforts and improve our overall frontline response to homelessness. However, it is ultimately the provincial government’s responsibility to provide funding for housing and programs that address homelessness.
The Province is a key partner, and over the last decade the City of Abbotsford has been working with the BC Government to ensure that our residents have access to housing and outreach services, and we continue to work with BC Housing to increase the availability of appropriate and supportive housing options for people experiencing homelessness in Abbotsford. Each year, the Point-in-Time count is a compelling reminder of the importance of that work.
Abbotsford City Council