Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / A single-family home across from Chilliwack City Hall that was recently vacated by a family after an eviction order was issued can now be demolished to make way for a parking lot. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Single-family home to be demolished

Single-family home across from Chilliwack City Hall to be bulldozed

May 28, 2024 | 11:46 AM

CHILLIWACK — A single-family home across from Chilliwack City Hall that was recently vacated by a family after an eviction order was issued can now be demolished.

According to a statement from a spokesperson for the City of Chilliwack, the property at 46039 Southlands Drive just north of City Hall will undergo demolition to make way for a parking lot.

“This property is now vacant and staff are working to have the home demolished in a timely manner,” city communications manager Liana Wiebe told Fraser Valley Today in an email. “The City has taken out a demolition permit and staff are arranging demolition for early this summer. The property is in the process of being rezoned for public parking, parking lot design is underway, and staff plan to expedite construction once the house is demolished.”

Fraser Valley Today was tipped off in late 2023 that an eviction order was issued to a family by HomeLife, which managed the property on behalf of the City of Chilliwack, four days before Christmas. There were at least two occupants in the home at the time of the eviction order.

“The property… is owned by the City of Chilliwack and in 2024, the existing house is scheduled for demolition in order to facilitate parking lot construction,” Wiebe said in an email to Fraser Valley Today dated December 27, 2023. “We acknowledge the unfortunate timing of this notice and our staff will work with the property management company to ensure the tenant is treated fairly and will be provided with assistance to help with a successful relocation.”

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The house reportedly experienced flooding in the basement at some point in the past couple years, but one of the occupants, a single mother, didn’t want to necessarily leave the home, citing concerns about Chilliwack’s expensive rental market. The family also had a senior rescue cat and loved the big backyard, making the move even more difficult.

The home in question was purchased in April 2021 for $925,000, according to publicly available records on the B.C. Assessment website. The home has been assessed at $895,000, including $564,000 for the land and $331,000 for the building. The lot size is 9,148 square feet. The home was built in 1957.