Community Support Services

Learn more about District and partner agency programs and services offering housing, shelter, food, and other supports for people in need.

Homelessness services and resources

Homelessness can be seen across the Greater Regional Vancouver District and is a growing issue across the North Shore.

Homelessness is a complex issue connected to the affordable housing crisis, economic conditions, mental health, substance abuse, and many other factors. We are working with our municipal neighbours on the North Shore through the North Shore Homelessness Action Initiative to enhance coordination and action to prevent and alleviate homelessness in our communities.

Learn more about the North Shore Homelessness Action Initiative.

When a person experiencing homelessness is identified in the District, staff will assess the situation, attempt to engage with the individual, and partner with appropriate agencies, which may include Bylaw and Licensing Services, West Vancouver Police, and the North Shore Lookout Housing and Health Society, among others, to continue to connect the individual with resources and assistance.

Homelessness is the situation of an individual, or family who is without stable, safe, permanent and appropriate housing. The term can refer to those living on the street, as well as people who don’t have a stable housing who are moving between friends and family “couch surfing”.

In Canada it is estimated that 150,000 and 300,000 people experiencing homelessness. It is difficult to know the exact number because many are hidden homeless and are missed in homeless counts and Stats Canada surveys.

The number of people counted during the 2025 Homeless count in Metro Vancouver was 5243. With a 168 people being counted on the North Shore. It is strongly believed that these numbers underrepresent the number of citizens dealing with homelessness.

Homeless Count – North Shore Homelessness Task Force
The North Shore Homelessness Task Force (NSHTF) was formed in 1998 and it seeks to provide leadership on the North Shore around homelessness in order to meaningfully address its root causes. The task force has spearheaded the establishment of the Youth Safe House, the North Shore Housing Centre and the Health Connections Clinic.

The North Shore Homelessness Task Force functions as a hub for its wide membership by facilitating information sharing, coordination and collaboration on homelessness.

North Shore Homelessness Task Force

Shelter during extreme weather

Emergency shelter: daytime community warming spaces

A number of municipal facilities are open and available as options for daytime community warming spaces.

North Shore Shelter

The Lookout Society operates an Extreme Weather Response shelter from November 1 – April 15. Its activation is dependent on weather during the winter season.

Housing

BC Housing's mission is to provide access to safe, quality, accessible and affordable housing options.

They work in partnership with the private and non-profit sector, provincial health authorities and other levels of government to develop a range of housing options.

They provide services to:
- Individuals who are homeless
- Individuals with disabilities
- Women and children at risk of violence
- Low-income seniors
- Buyers of new homes
BC Housing

Shelter Map - search for shelters by area | BC Housing

District resources

The West Vancouver Seniors’ Activity Centre’s meal program began as the COVID-19 pandemic brought to light a genuine need among this community’s most vulnerable seniors, who lacked the means to access regular meals.

The Feed the Need program currently serves 350 meals per week, improving many lives.

Learn more about the program: Feed the Need | District of West Vancouver
The Seniors’ Community Outreach Services team is available to provide individual and small group support for seniors (55y+) with social prescribing needs. These needs cover a range of topics, including caregiver support, food security, prepared meals, housing, legal advocacy, financial support, social isolation, transportation, mobile safety, and mental and physical health support.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Jeffery, Seniors' Outreach Program Coordinator at 604-925-7281, email, or visit her in person at the Seniors' Activity Centre.
This program provides showers for community members who would otherwise not have access to a shower. Toiletries, towels, and other support services are also offered to participants.

For questions, please contact Adriana Kowalczyk, Access Services Program Coordinator at 604-925-7279 or email.

This program is partially funded through the Community Prosperity Fund via Enhance West Van.

Location
- West Vancouver Community Centre 2121 Marine Drive.
- Meet inside the West Vancouver Community Centre main hallway.
Hours of operation
- Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays*
- 12 to 2:30 p.m.
*Please note that the program does not run on statutory holidays.