Image: Submitted, used with permission / An Abbotsford group that assists unhoused individuals in Abbotsford plans to establish a homeless encampment in a city park surrounded by homes and in close proximity to a day care and elementary school.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Abbotsford homeless encampment

Update: City of Abbotsford responds to homeless camp set up in Abbotsford park near homes, school

Jun 27, 2024 | 10:07 AM

**Update at 6:05 p.m. Thursday: A spokesperson for the City of Abbotsford says the City is aware of the campers/protesters at Babich Park and the letter circulating in the community.

“The City of Abbotsford respects all Canadians’ right to protest under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” spokesperson Aletta Vanderhayden said. “In alignment with the federal and provincial governments, the City of Abbotsford has adopted a ‘Housing First’ approach to addressing homelessness that involves moving people experiencing homelessness – particularly people experiencing chronic homelessness – into stable and long-term housing.”

The City of Abbotsford says there are currently seven tents and a trailer at Babich Park that arrived on Tuesday, June 25, and it is their understanding that campers at Babich Park were offered shelter space by B.C. Housing.

“City bylaw officers have advised the campers at the site of the City’s requirement under the Parks Bylaw (Bylaw No. 2456-2015) related to temporary camping,” Vanderhayden said. “Camping with a tent can take place in City parks from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m. and bylaw officers have asked for the trailer to be removed from the field to a parking spot.”

The City says it appreciate B.C. Housing’s recent and significant investments in Abbotsford, including approximately $48.8 million in capital and operating funding toward projects that will bring more than 220 new shelter spaces and supportive homes for vulnerable people in Abbotsford.

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City staff have been working proactively with community members who had recreational bookings at Babich Park to move their events to other locations throughout the city.

“The City of Abbotsford will continue to monitor the situation closely and work with local service providers and B.C. Housing, as the provincial government is the level of government responsible for ensuring shelter and housing options for individuals experiencing homelessness is provided,” Vanderhayden said.

Vanderhayden said Abbotsford PD advises residents in this area to remain vigilant and report any criminal matters by calling 9-1-1.**

Original story below:

ABBOTSFORD — An Abbotsford group that assists unhoused individuals in Abbotsford plans to establish a homeless encampment in a city park surrounded by homes and in close proximity to an elementary school.

According to the text of a letter from a representative writing on behalf of the “Abbotsford Drug War Survivors” group, and directed at residents in the immediate area, homeless advocate Brittany Maple says roughly 52 individuals residing at the Gladys Road encampment intend to relocate to Babich Park.

The letter appears to have been written recently, and was featured in an Abbotsford-area social media post. Facebook commenters seem to have authenticated the letter based on pictures obtained by Fraser Valley Today that show tents cropping up at Babich Park, located near Terry Fox Elementary School and a day care facility also bearing Terry Fox’s name.

“We are writing to you as representatives of the Abbotsford Drug War Survivors and the residents of the Gladys Road Encampment,” the letter directed to Babich Park community residents stated. “First and foremost, we want to acknowledge and understand the frustration and concerns you may have regarding our presence in your community park. Our relocation to Babich Park is not a decision we made lightly. It is an action born out of necessity and a desperate attempt to seek remedy to the City of Abbotsford’s inaction concerning the displacement of its citizens amid an unprecedented housing crisis that has seen homelessness increase over 169 per cent between 2014-2023.”

Maple, a program coordinator representing Abbotsford Drug War Survivors, claims that the City of Abbotsford has not offered a viable solution to the group’s demand to find designated legal camping spaces for the unhoused community. The group says as of Friday morning, possibly June 21, there were 52 individuals at the Gladys Road encampment, and the City of Abbotsford has not confirmed the availability of stable, permanent housing to accommodate them.

“The City of Abbotsford has previously designated land for B.C. Housing projects, setting a precedent that is within their purview to allocate unused municipal land to support our unhoused community,” Maple wrote in her letter. “However, the lack of immediate action to provide designated legal camping spaces leaves us no choice but to relocate to Babich Park to seek safety and shelter.”

Maple believes the encampment at Gladys Road formed as a necessary element to preserve the health and vitality of unhoused people amid what Maple calls is an “unprecedented housing crisis.” Safe, legal camping spaces are critical to mitigating the risks faced by homeless individuals and provide some semblance of stability and security.

“We understand and share your desire to keep Babich Park a safe and enjoyable space for all residents,” Maple wrote. “Therefore, we are requesting your support in signing a petition to the City of Abbotsford to designate undeveloped municipal land for us to move to.”

Maple hopes to have Babich Park cleared out as soon as possible once a legally designated location has been procured with applicable facilities, presumably bathroom access for unhoused individuals.

“We are committed to working together to find a solution that respects the needs and dignity of all community members,” Maple concluded.

One Facebook commenter pointed out that allowing a homeless encampment near Terry Fox Elementary School was no way to honour the national hero known for running the Marathon of Hope in 1980. Another said it was not right to allow encampments in a park where children play.

Image: Submitted, used with permission / Tents have been set up at Babich Park in Abbotsford, as unhoused residents relocate from the Gladys Road encampment.

Fraser Valley Today has emailed a spokesperson for the City of Abbotsford seeking comment on the situation.

There are plans to reportedly establish more than 220 shelter beds in Abbotsford, but the city reportedly has over 400 unhoused people living on the streets and in the bush.

In July 2023, the Fraser Valley Regional District said over 1,000 homeless individuals were located and recorded during a recent homeless count and survey that covered Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission, Kent, and the surrounding communities.

In June 2023, the provincial government announced that it would work with the City of Abbotsford aand housing and local service providers to clear the massive Lonzo Road homeless encampment near exit 92, Sumas Way, and Cactus Club in Abbotsford, with plans to transition homeless people living at the encampment into safe indoor spaces to address health and safety concerns.

Once the encampment was vacated, construction was set to begin on a new 50-bed shelter that will be temporarily located at the site, the B.C. government said in June 2023. The new shelter would replace the existing 40-bed Riverside Road shelter and allow the Riverside shelter to be replaced by a new permanent supportive housing building, adjacent to Cole Starnes Place.