Langley Homelessness Strategic Plan

Langley Homelessness Strategic Plan

The City of Langley is concerned over the growing number of persons experiencing homelessness in the City. In response to this concern, the City of Langley formed the Langley Homelessness Task Force (LHTF) to help identify community-based solutions to address homelessness. Specifically, the Task Force spearheaded a process that lead to the creation of a Homelessness Strategic Plan (HSP) grounded in the Langley context. The LHTF was comprised of local service providers, businesses, BC Housing, Fraser Health, the RCMP, various municipal departments, City Councillors, and one Councillor representing the Township of Langley. The City of Langley engaged CitySpaces Consulting to facilitate and undertake the process of preparing the HSP and related materials.

The Challenge:

The number of persons experiencing homelessness in Langley has significantly increased in the last decade.

By the numbers (2014):

  • There are 92 persons experiencing homelessness in Langley
  • 22% of persons experiencing homelessness in Langley are youth
  • Seniors represent 15% of persons experiencing homelessness in Langley
  • 16% of persons experiencing homelessness in Langley are Aboriginal

While circumstances vary, all persons experiencing homelessness are in crisis and require support to find adequate and affordable housing and to access services they need. Supporting our most vulnerable residents requires a plan.

As a response to the challenge, the City of Langley formed the Langley Homelessness Task Force to help identify community-based solutions to address and prevent homelessness. Specifically, the task force spearheaded the process that lead to the creation of a Homelessness Strategic Plan.

The Task Force:

The Langley Homelessness Task Force was comprised of local service providers, BC Housing, Fraser Health, the RCMP, various municipal departments, City Councillors, and one Councillor representing the Township of Langley. The task force was co-chaired by Councillor Martin and Councillor Storteboom.

The Process:

The development of the Homelessness Strategic Plan required research and identification of issues to help better understand the homelessness situation in the City of Langley. This process involved:

  • Preparation of a Social Services Inventory: A reference document that outlines the services available to persons experiencing homelessness, as well as services available to vulnerable and at-risk populations. Download the Inventory here.
  • Preparation of a Context Brief: A research document providing baseline indicators of homelessness in Langley. Download the Context Brief here.
  • Consultation with stakeholders. The consultation was delivered in a workshop format to generate strategies and solutions to address and prevent homelessness, grounded in the Langley context. The powerpoint presentation from the workshop can be downloaded here. Display boards can be downloaded here. Consultation handout can be downloaded here.
  • A select number of interviews with persons with lived experience: The interviews provide insight into immediate needs and solutions from an experiential perspective. Participants were anonymous and the stories they shared were referenced when developing strategies to address and prevent homelessness in Langley.
  • Preparation of the Homelessness Strategic Plan: A document outlining strategies and solutions to address and prevent homelessness in Langley. The final document was adopted by Council on Monday, April 25th Regular Council Meeting. The Homelessness Strategic Plan can be downloaded here. 
Contact Information

Please contact us if you have any questions or would like additional information on the Langley Homelessness Strategic Plan.

Context Brief

The Context Brief was an early deliverable to the  Homelessness Strategic Plan (HSP), providing baseline information to the Langley Homelessness Task Force (LHTF), City staff and consulting team. This baseline information was to frame subsequent research and stakeholder consultation, allowing the LHTF, the City and stakeholders to draw from the same information and to establish a shared understanding of homelessness related issues. To see the full Context Brief click here.

Consultation Documents

Consultation with stakeholders. The consultation was delivered in a workshop format to generate strategies and solutions to address and prevent homelessness, grounded in the Langley context. The powerpoint presentation from the workshop can be downloaded here. Display boards can be downloaded here. Consultation handout can be downloaded here.

2008 Action Strategy for Addressing Homelessness in the Langleys

In October 2008, the Action Strategy for Addressing Homelessness in the City of Langley and the Township of Langley report was prepared by SPARC BC, and was submitted to the Langley Homelessness Steering Committee,  To see the full report click here.

City of Langley Homelessness Strategic Plan

In April 2016, City Council adopted the Homelessness Strategic Plan to address homelessness in the City of Langley and the Township of Langley. To read the Strategic Plan click here.