Homelessness is a concern facing many communities a nd Chilliwack is no exception. Following up on a research project on the issue con ducted in 2006/2007, the Chilliwack Social Research and Planning Council set out in the summer of 2014 to investigate through a qualitative interview based approach the concerns and issues around what made access to housing difficult for those identifi ed as homeless or those at risk of homelessness.
The recommendations in this assessment suggest that a supportive mixed-model housing first approach be undertaken in order to provide safe and humane shelter as the first step in a multi-faceted approach to trans ition those from the street into housing free from the barriers identified as curren tly existing.