Homeless population up 6 per cent from last year

Vancouver homeless count up from last year Mayor Robertson defends his record after the latest numbers show Vancouver homelessness is up six per cent from 2015.

Vancouver's mayor promised to end street homelessness by 2015, but the numbers have actually never been higher.

The latest numbers show 1,847 people are living on the city's streets and in shelters, up six per cent from last year. The report showed that 61 per cent had been homeless for less than a year, and 78 per cent were facing at least one physical or mental health condition.

It also showed that 71 per cent of homeless people who have been in the city for less than a year came from outside the Metro Vancouver area. The full report can be found online.

Mayor Gregor Robertson responded to the numbers on Tuesday, saying that he isn't letting up on the issue, but doesn't bear personal responsibility for his failed promise.

Eight years ago, Robertson was elected on a campaign that included an end to homelessness, promising he'd make it a political priority.

"We still have lots of work today," the mayor told reporters on Tuesday. He then called on the provincial and federal governments to step in and help the city.

"Those levels of government are absolutely responsible for dealing with housing and homelessness," he said.

"Ultimately it's a failure, though. It's a failure of our whole system."

Advocates told CTV News that the housing market is partially to blame for the problem. With middle-class residents getting priced out of neighbourhoods, low-income renters are pushed out of their homes.

Experts also believe the problem is underreported, and that there are likely thousands more without homes in the suburbs and Fraser Valley.

With a report from CTV Vancouver's Tom Popyk