Progress
The Chilliwack
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Basketball brilliance as hoopsters grab gold.
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Asbestos could be heading to Bailey
■ Dog Days
Jessica Peters The Progress The Bailey landfill may soon be able to handle asbestos-contaminated materials. Chilliwack council was being asked on Tuesday to look at amending the Solid Waste Collection and Disposal bylaw, chiefly to accommodate asbestos materials at the landfill. Asbestos is a dangerous substance to handle and dispose of, but is prevalent in homes built pre-1990. Historically, homeowners and contractors demolishing or renovating these homes are turned away from Bailey if it’s believed their waste is contaminated. But that may be one of the reasons so much of the trash is ending up dumped along riversides and backroads, admits city staff. Continued: DUMPING/ p4
The Mount Cheam Canine Association hosted three all-breed championship conformation shows at Heritage Park from Feb. 26 to 28. Here, Kristy Brissette from Langley grooms Yorkshire Terriers Carly and Luca to prim perfection prior to competing in the toy group on Friday. Visit theprogress.com for additional photos. SAM BATES/ PROGRESS
Chilliwack unveils six-point plan for homelessness City budgets $700,000 for this year alone The Progress Chilliwack Council vowed to do something about homelessness — even though it’s more of a provincial or federal responsibility, and even though the last homeless count showed a decrease in the numbers. A draft report came before council Tuesday at city hall with the subtitle, ‘Establishing a Comprehensive Community Response System that Helps
People Obtain and Retain Safe, Affordable, Appropriate Housing.’ City officials stressed they can’t solve the problem alone. “We want to work with the province to ensure everyone has an opportunity to be housed in our community, and will continue to work with the many social service agencies in Chilliwack,” said Mayor Sharon Gaetz, in a release. “It’s a lofty goal and it will not happen without a plan.” Consultation is key. Broad consultative effort has led to the fresh
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of the CHC Housing First Task Team. One example is the task team looking into low-barrier housing options, including a visit to Raven’s Moon in Abbotsford, which provides “affordable, supportive housing that facilitates permanent, positive life changes” and works using an empowerment perspective.” The team also held a broadbased planning session in December to get input. “The City’s Homelessness Action Plan Task Force found that the strategic planning session was
integral to the development of the report and ensures we are all continuing to work towards the same goal.” Having an affordable housing strategy, and using the Housing First model, are considered key to getting provincial funding, and that is one of the obstacles to the city taking concrete and effective action. The staff report stated that $700,000 is being budgeted for a Housing First development down the line. Here are the goals: Continued: PLAN/ p4
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report detailing the reasons, challenges, strategies to tackle homelessness as well as needs, actions and goals for the Chilliwack Homelessness Action Plan. The plan is being mapped out by a task force made up of community agencies and service providers, including input from local homeless. “Homelessness and affordable housing are key areas of focus for Chilliwack Healthier Community and our Housing First Task Team is actively working on a number of actions that have been identified in this background report,” said Councillor Ken Popove, Chair