Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / Trailers at the unlawful Island 22 homeless encampment, 45645 Cartmell Road, are pictured. All residents of the homeless camp have been advised of an eviction deadline set for next week Wednesday, January 31. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Island 22 homeless camp

UPDATE: BC Housing provides update on its response to the pending closure of Island 22 in Chilliwack

Jan 24, 2024 | 3:09 PM

CHILLIWACK — As an eviction notice of January 31 approaches, there are no official plans just yet to provide housing options to the remaining residents of the Island 22 homeless camp on Cartmell Road in Chilliwack.

An eviction notice has been posted outside of the Island 22 homeless encampment on Cartmell Road in Chilliwack, advising residents there that they could be charged with an offence if they continue to unlawfully occupy privately owned lands governed by a First Nation in Chilliwack.

Inhabitants of the unlawful encampment have been notified by Shxwha:y Village that the lands located at Skway Indian Reserve No. 5 (45645 Cartmell Road) are privately owned land. They have until Wednesday, January 31 to leave. It is believed there is an insufficient number of available shelter beds in Chilliwack at this time, as in all shelters in Chilliwack are running at full capacity.

Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / One of the many trailers at the Island 22 homeless camp on Cartmell Road in Chilliwack. Residents there have one week left to leave ahead of an eviction deadline on January 31.

However, there are no definitive plans in place to immediately house the remaining residents, according to minutes of the most recent Chilliwack River Valley homeless rural stakeholders meeting held Monday, January 8 at 10 a.m. at the Ann Davis Transition Society. The meeting was held virtually via Zoom for those who could not attend in person.

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A representative of BC Housing is reported in the minutes as saying: “(BC Housing) has attended the Island 22 dismantling. There is no official plan from BC Housing to house the approximate 40 people there. Vacancies for the supportive housing units will be announced.”

There is a supportive housing building and related shelter under construction at 45857 Trethewey Avenue, located approximately one block west of Shandhar Hut on Young Road. It had been projected to open in fall 2023, but has been delayed to spring 2024. The project will provide 49 supportive homes and 42 permanent shelter spaces for people at risk of, and experiencing, homelessness. The 49 supportive homes include up to 22 complex care housing spaces for vulnerable people who need a level of support that goes beyond the current housing model.

What also came out of the meeting on January 8 is that many of the trailers at Island 22 cannot be towed to another location as the trailers themselves are not capable of being towed. Trailer parks have been largely ruled out because they have stricter standards about what can and can’t be permitted on their premises. Many of the campers at Island 22 are either too old or cannot be moved and towed, not to mention license requirements for insurance purposes.

One social media commenter suggested relocating the trailers to the Cole Road rest stop (exit 99 between Abbotsford and Chilliwack) because it has bathrooms, Wi-Fi and a sanitation dump.

BC Housing provided a statement to Fraser Valley Today Thursday morning (Jan. 25) in which it acknowledged the Island 22 encampment and the pending eviction deadline.

“BC Housing is funding outreach teams that are regularly connecting and supporting people experiencing homelessness throughout Chilliwack, including the Island 22 encampment,” BC Housing said in a statement. “Community Integration Specialists from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction have also been frequenting the encampment to ensure people on the site are aware of shelter options and provide support to fill out Housing Registry applications.”

BC Housing says it became aware of the trespass notice in early December 2023 and has been working across ministries to determine next steps and how to best move forward in supporting those at the encampments. As of early January, there were approximately 40 individuals residing at the encampment.

“The Province understands the need for shelter spaces across B.C. and in Chilliwack, especially as the winter weather intensifies,” BC Housing said. “BC Housing is actively working with the City of Chilliwack and partners to confirm locations for several new shelters and supportive housing projects. We will share more information about additional projects once plans are confirmed.”