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Upcoming forum to search for solutions to homelessness on the Semiahmoo Peninsula

Action-oriented night for all community members to discuss situation openly: organizer
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A temporary shelter, built with umbrellas, serves as a dry place to sleep for one of the Peninsula’s unhoused residents. A public forum to discuss homelessness and possible solutions to supporting unhoused folks is scheduled for June 20 in South Surrey. (Geoffrey Yue file photo)

An upcoming public forum will discuss the topic of homelessness with the aim of finding real solutions for people on the Peninsula who are living unhoused.

Hosted by the Peninsula Homelessness to Housing Task Force (PH2H), the forum — open to everybody — is coming at a time when homelessness has been a hot-button issue for many people in the community.

READ MORE: Being homeless ‘not a crime’ – White Rock CAO

The June 20 ‘Homelessness on the Peninsula’ forum will include speakers with lived and living experience and social service workers who will engage with White Rock and South Surrey business owners, politicians, police, residents and any one else who wishes to join. A roundtable discussion is also anticipated to take place during the evening.

“We have had various churches organize weather shelters in the area here. Peninsula United did for many years and Peace Portal did one winter and then Mount Olive Lutheran did two winters,” explained Rick Bayer, co-chair of PH2H and lead pastor at Gracepoint Community Church.

“I would get a call in October from some civic leader in either Surrey or White Rock, who would say ‘We’ve got to find a church, Rick, that can host the extreme weather shelter.’

“Well, most churches aren’t set up for that; we don’t have showers in our church buildings, we don’t have dedicated space and so it becomes this makeshift thing.”

Bayer emphasized that a path forward should “lay the groundwork to have something permanent here on the Peninsula,” which should include members of government, social service agencies and, especially, input from people with lived and living experience.

“That’s very important for this conversation – that it’s not just people, whether it’s government or social service agencies determining what’s best, but having some of the people who have experienced (homelessness) also participate in this conversation,” the co-chair said.

Discussions around the Peninsula’s need for a better system have been going on for years, Bayer said, but actual investment into housing or shelter service has not happened.

The night is intended to be action-oriented, Bayer emphasized.

READ MORE: ‘There are humans on the street’: Supportive housing sites sought in South Surrey, White Rock

The event will be held at Peace Portal Alliance Church (15128 27B Ave) on Tuesday, June 20, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and the forum running from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

To register for a free seat at the forum, go to www.eventbrite.com and search ‘Homelessness on the Peninsula’ but drop-ins are also welcome.


@SobiaMoman
sobia.moman@peacearchnews.com

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Sobia Moman

About the Author: Sobia Moman

Sobia Moman is a news and features reporter with the Peace Arch News.
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