Building Hope for At-Risk Youth

Funding provided through Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy,
part of Canada’s Housing Plan.

Home is more than just a roof over our heads; it connects us to our communities and offers the stability needed to grow and thrive. It’s a place where we can feel safe. But for many, this basic necessity isn’t always within reach. Homelessness has an impact on every community in Canada. In 2022, an estimated 105,655 people experienced homelessness at emergency shelters nationwide.

To address this issue, the Government of Canada partners with organizations and communities across the country to support the most vulnerable in maintaining safe, stable, and affordable housing. In Vancouver, British Columbia, Lu’ma Native Housing Society distributes the federal funding to local communities by selecting service providers such as Covenant House Vancouver, an organization that aims to prevent and reduce youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Covenant House Vancouver provides compassionate care for youth aged 16-24 to address the complex needs associated with mental health, substance use, trauma, and other challenges that require specialized services.

Covenant House’s Outreach Team plays an active and supportive role in the community by building trust, offering support to youth in crisis, and inviting at-risk youth to services like Covenant House’s Drop-In Centre for a hot meal and a shower.

Building More Space for Brighter Futures

With federal funding, Covenant House Vancouver has increased its housing services and through renovation and expansion now has 44 supportive housing units in downtown Vancouver, along with communal spaces like a life-skills teaching kitchen, lounge, meeting room, and a laundry area. This expansion is part of a broader initiative that has created or upgraded over 100 housing and shelter spaces for youth who are at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness.

Through partnerships like these, the Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that everyone in Canada has access to safe and affordable housing to build their future and reach their full potential.

Quick facts:

• As part of Canada’s Housing Plan, the federal government is providing support to the most vulnerable Canadians in maintaining safe, stable, and affordable housing and to reduce chronic homelessness.
• Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy is a community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness across Canada. This program provides funding and support to communities to help them address their local homelessness needs.
• Covenant House Vancouver is committed to serving all youth with support, respect, and love to help those experiencing homelessness, and to protect and safeguard youth in need.

For more information, visit:

• Covenant House Vancouver
• Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy
• Solving the Housing Crisis: Canada’s Housing Plan