An all-candidates meeting centring on the issue of homelessness in Surrey is coming up next week, ahead of the provincial election this October.
Homelessness in Surrey continues to be a concern, one that is seeing rising numbers of those who are affected. For this reason, the Surrey Road to Home Society will be hosting an all-candidates meeting on Thursday, Sept. 19 — a month before voters head to the polls on Oct. 19 for the B.C. election.
An umbrella of several organizations, the Society consists of Lookout, Options Community Services, Sources, Elizabeth Fry, Pacific Community Resources Society and Realistic Success Recovery Society.
In the most recent homeless count from March 2023, data collected for the point-in-time count that Surrey's unhoused population has increased by 65 per cent since 2020.
Organizers are inviting the three main B.C. parties (NDP, Conservative and Green) to send representatives for the meeting. So far, organizers say that two NDP candidates and Conservative Party candidate Linda Hepner are expected to attend, while the Green Party is in the process of being contacted.
Taking place at the City Centre branch of Surrey Libraries, at 10350 University Drive in Room 120, registration will begin at 6:30 p.m. while the forum will begin at 7 p.m. on Sept. 19.
