Press Releases

On Tuesday night, the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) released their 2014 Homeless Survey which detailed that the number of homeless people in Chilliwack has decreased by 34% since 2011, from 111 to 73 individuals. Studies conducted in 2004, 2008 and 2011 show that the multiple programs in place in Chilliwack for shelter, subsidized and supportive housing are making a difference in our community.

“Affordable housing is an opportunity the City of Chilliwack has been diligently working on for over 14 years, starting with our Downtown Social Issues Action Plan in 2001,” said Mayor Sharon Gaetz. “This report is positive for Chilliwack and demonstrates that, although we still have a ways to go, we are making progress in addressing the complex variety of issues that result in homelessness.”

“In coordination with community partners through Chilliwack Healthier Community (CHC) and the Province of BC, the City of Chilliwack has been actively working to address barriers to housing and we are pleased that our multifaceted approach is making a difference,” said Mayor Gaetz.

“Many Chilliwack Healthier Community partners are playing an important role in decreasing the number of homeless people in Chilliwack. CHC works to enable service organizations to support each other and find creative ways to address concerns,” said Councillor Ken Popove, co-chair of CHC. “As a municipality, we appreciate the group’s expertise and knowledge while we collaborate in a compassionate manner to proactively address health and wellness related concerns.”

According to the Survey Report, there are a total of 104 emergency shelter and transition house beds in Chilliwack. This includes 32 regular shelter beds and 25 extreme weather shelter beds at the Salvation Army and Ruth and Naomi’s Mission, 31 women’s transition house beds at Ann Davis Society at Xolhemet Society, and 16 youth shelter beds at Cyrus Centre (four regular and 12 extreme weather beds).

The FVRD 2014 Homeless Survey was prepared by Ron van Wyk, Mennonite Central Committee, BC and Anita van Wyk, Social Culture and Media Studies, University of the Fraser Valley, with the help of more than 50 volunteers and collaborating community agencies. In the context of the survey, homeless people are defined as persons with no fixed address, with no regular and/or adequate nighttime residence where they can expect to stay for more than 30 days.