City council was about to approve extra emergency-shelter beds at the Ruth and Naomi's facility for the winter, when Coun. Jason Lum raised the ongoing irritant of homeless people being dropped off in Chilliwack from other communities.
"At what point do we very seriously raise the alarm that Chilliwack is at capacity, for everything, and it's time for other communities to step up and to assist?" Coun. Jason Lum fumed at the September council meeting.
That one question seemed to encapsulate the mounting frustration felt by city officials about the increased homelessness in 2024 for Chilliwack residents, business owners and elected officials.
That launched a discussion around the council table on the impacts of being perceived as a homeless-friendly community with a wealth of resources, versus the legitimate desire to concentrate on their own residents in need.
The sticking point for Coun. Jason Lum was health providers who've been "discharging patients" from Metro Vancouver hospitals, and transporting them to Chilliwack's emergency shelters.
"If it's clearly a Chilliwack resident, it's an absolute no-brainer but now that people are getting shipped out here in taxis by service providers, I don't know where to go with this," Lum said.
Mayor Ken Popove said despite firing off a stern letter the last time it happened, there was no official response. Although it's unfair to Chilliwack, they have no power; "no teeth" to stop the practice, despite the undue burden it places on community resources.
Coun. Chris Kloot said they had to find out "why is this happening over and over again" in terms of the dropoffs.
Another concern Lum mentioned was reports they're getting of tow companies transporting derelict vehicles and recreational vehicles to the Chilliwack River Valley.
Lum said other communities are maybe in "a better position," to help, such as those who signed on to be "hubs" for regionalization of services, which Chilliwack did not.
Lum said it felt like Chilliwack "was long past capacity," and because of its good nature, as a caring community and not wanting to turn anyone away, that it feels like Chilliwack is "being taken advantage of."
Coun. Kloot said said they needed to get the message across province-wide that Chilliwack was "full."
In the end, council voted in favour of allowing the emergency winter shelter to operate.
