Covenant House Vancouver is a 2-star charity with Low demonstrated impact. It has a B results reporting grade, which is average. For every dollar donated to the charity, 66 cents are available to go to the cause, which is just within Ci's reasonable range.

Founded in 1997, Covenant House Vancouver (CHV) supports homeless youth in Vancouver by serving their basic needs and helping them build a strong future. The charity states that since 2020, homelessness in Metro Vancouver increased by 32%. The demand for CHV’s services increased by 30% from F2022 to F2023. Covenant House Vancouver has three main programs: Shelter and Crisis Care, Rights of Passage, and Outreach/Community Support Services. In F2023, it served an average of 124 youths per day, three more than in F2022. Its head office is in Vancouver, BC. Covenant House Vancouver spent $17.1m on its programs in F2023 (including amortization).

Covenant House Vancouver’s Crisis Program received 53% of program spend in F2023 ($9.0m). CHV’s Crisis Program provides short-term accommodation for youth to stay, free of charge, for as long as they need to. In F2023 the average length of stay was 96 days, two times more than in F2022. The Crisis Program has a 100% occupancy rate in F2023.

Covenant House Vancouver’s Rights of Passage program received 21% of program spend ($3.6m) in F2023. Right of Passage is a long-term program that provides youth with safe, affordable housing as they transition to independent living. Right of Passage is currently under renovation. The new facility will increase the amount of beds from 25 to 44. CHV expects Right of Passage to open in spring 2024. The charity changed its staffing policy with the renovations. Staff will have consistent schedules rather than rotating to help build a sense of routine and foster a deeper connection with youth. The charity will also add a Community Transition Coordinator who will support youth in their preparation for transition.

Covenant House Vancouver’s Outreach/Community Support Services (CSS) program received 21% of program spend ($3.5m) in F2023. CHV’s Drop-In Centre provides youth with a place to rest, have a warm meal, do laundry, and have a shower. CHV’s workers connected with youth 14,933 times and provided 999 mental health support sessions in F2023. The charity’s Outreach team meets youth where they are to provide support. CHV’s Outreach staff connected with 462 youth in F2023. In F2023 CHV increased the accessibility of its Drop-In Centre to better meet the needs of youth. CHV opened its Drop-In Centre earlier and youth can now access services like clothing, food, and referrals seven days a week. CHV extended its food services to also serve throughout the day at the Drop-In Centre. Due to these changes, youth stay at the Drop-In Centre longer and return more frequently than before.

The remaining 5% (941k) was spent on Public Education and the Foundations Program.

Covenant House Vancouver received $19.7m in donations and special events revenue in F2023. The charity also received $24k in international donations. CHV spent $14.9m on its programs in F2023, which is 75% of total donations.

Administrative costs are 8% of revenue (less investment income), and fundraising costs are 26% of donations. Total overhead spending is 34%. For every dollar donated to the charity, 66 cents go to the cause, which is just within Ci’s reasonable range.

Covenant House Vancouver has $15.4m in reserve funds. Its reserve can cover 103% or one year of its annual program costs.

CHV’s $18.2m in investments in F2022 returned $651k in investment income in F2023, at a 4% rate of return. Over the past six years, CHV’s investments returned an average of 2%.

CHV has committed $597k in funding over the next four years, of which $522k is committed in F2024.

Charity Intelligence has sent this update to Covenant House Vancouver for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on February 13, 2024 by Liam Chapleau