Some of Surrey’s homeless population have marched to city hall to protest what they say is unfair treatment by city staff.
The residents of the so-called “strip,” a homeless camp on 135A Street, say they’re forced out of bed every morning by city staff. They also claim that if they don’t move fast enough, or if they’re off site doing some day labour to make money, their meager possessions are thrown away.
The residents are now asking staff to leave their belongings alone and find them a more suitable place to live.
“We need more affordable housing,” said one resident who is known as Little Doug. “That’s the biggest problem. A lot of housing that was affordable, the rent has gone up according to supply and demand.”
“We’re trying to balance the complaints. The complainers want the street cleaned because they live there and we’re trying to balance the needs of the homeless people at the same time.”
-With files from Tanya Beja