Almost 100 people have sent a petition to the City of Abbotsford urging that undeveloped municipal land be designated as “safe and legal” camping space for unhoused individuals.
The letters were included in the agenda package for the council meeting on Tuesday, July 30 and are from those who submitted them as of July 22.
Mayor Ross Siemens told council that the petition will be shared with Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon and his staff.
The petition references the recent issues that have resulted in members of the Abbotsford Drug War Survivors (DWS) and the prior encampment on Gladys Road to change locations.
The petition was written and distributed by representatives of DWS to local residents.
Individuals at the Gladys Road camp, which is located on BC Hydro land, were evicted at the end of June. They set up a protest camp at Babich Park and then moved to city hall on June 29.
“The decision was not made lightly, but out of necessity to seek safety and shelter for the individuals residing in the encampment,” the petition states.
The letters also reference the historical context of the homelessness situation in Abbotsford, including the 2013 incident in which chicken manure was dumped at the encampment on Gladys Avenue.
The petition also mentions the B.C. Supreme Court decision in 2015 that permitted unhoused people to erect tents in local parks from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m. daily.
“However, without following through on legislating specific unused municipal land, this change has increased strain on community parks, which are not equipped to handle long-term encampments,” the petition states.
The letter states that local agencies, including DWS and Archway Community Services, received a grant in 2021 to open a drop-in centre and shelter and create publicly accessible washrooms.
The drop-in shelter (The Cabin) and shelter (The Lodge) were separated and housed in spaces that Archway already owned, and space for a public washroom was not designated, the petition states.
As well, the petition states that another shelter – the Nomad – opened in November 2022 but closed in January 2024, despite operating with “incredible success.”
“The shelter was acknowledged for having the lowest incidence of calls for emergency services,” the letter indicates.
It states that the housing crisis has left many people without stable shelter and has placed an increased strain on community parks and private properties
The petition asks that the city identify and allocate unused municipal land as a safe encampment; provide essential facilities such as washrooms, garbage disposal and potable water; and work with community organizations for increased funding from senior levels for government.
“By taking these actions, the city will not only comply with legal recommendations but also uphold the dignity and welfare of all community members,” the letter states.
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