The Surrey Homelessness & Housing Society is offering $1 million for proposals to help people in its community rebuild their lives.
Chair and city councillor Judy Villeneuve says there are more than 600 homeless people in Surrey, a number that’s risen nearly 50 per cent since the 2014 Metro Vancouver Homeless Count.
She says the society’s goal is to get people off of the street through housing projects, and help them better their lives.
“The call is really for non-profit organizations, or for anyone that has a proposal that will help address the issue. If a developer came forward wishing to, and we have put partnerships together with developers in the past to build projects, we’re open to any kind of proposal, but we want to put that money where the most immediate need is.”
“The entire million dollars may not go for just one proposal,” she notes.
Villeneuve adds they’re open to program proposals as well.
She says Surrey shares the challenge of housing affordability, along with tackling the overdose crisis.