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The number of liveaboards in this year’s homeless count won’t be available until the final report is released in late summer, said Metro Vancouver spokesman Greg Valou, adding that the report may provide more insight into how the nature of homelessness is changing in the region, whether people are living full-time in boats, cars, or other options.

They could let us have a little spot somewhere. As long as the boats are seaworthy and as long as we’re able seamen and responsible

Matt Thomson, the research manager for the 2017 Homeless Count in Metro Vancouver, said liveaboards had the option of “self-selecting” out of the survey, “because in some areas, liveaboards are choosing to live on their boats, and may be fully employed and not require any support services.”

Shawn Wilson, who lives on his wooden cabin cruiser in False Creek, agreed there’s a link between Vancouver’s unaffordability and the number of people living on boats. Wilson lived in a Kitsilano apartment until five years ago, when the ever-rising cost of living prompted him to move out and live full-time on his sailboat. He said it’s a diverse community living on False Creek, including grad students, tradespeople, office workers, and at least one family raising young children.

Wilson, who has a Metis background and grew up boating in Powell River, now lives on the creek with his partner and his dog, and works repairing boats. He believes most people in the “marine community” dispose of their sewage responsibly, adding: “most of us are very environmentally conscious … We try to keep the smallest footprint we can.”

Wilson said it seems like the Vancouver Police Department has recently increased ticketing of boats violating anchoring laws and staying in False Creek without permits. The VPD was not able to immediately answer questions about enforcement or provide stats on the number of tickets issued in recent years.

“They could let us have a little spot somewhere,” Wilson said. “As long as the boats are seaworthy and as long as we’re able seamen and responsible. We’re part of the city, we’re part of the community, and I believe it adds character to the city.”