The Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce stands with the City of Chilliwack.
Rising homelessness, mental health challenges, and addiction are not just social issues — they have real and growing impacts on community safety, crime statistics, and the local business environment. Recent data shows Chilliwack’s unhoused population increased from 642 people in 2024 to 738 in 2025, while the City spent $5.2 million last year alone on costs related to homelessness, including security, bylaw enforcement, and cleanup.
These pressures affect businesses directly — from increased operating costs and property crime concerns to reduced customer confidence and workforce challenges. Municipalities are being forced to manage responsibilities that fall outside their jurisdiction, while the root causes remain unaddressed.
The Chamber echoes the City of Chilliwack’s calls to senior levels of government for long-term, systemic solutions — including access to detox and treatment beds, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams, upstream prevention, and a regionally equitable approach to shelter and housing with proper supports.
A safe, healthy community is essential for a strong local economy. We urge the provincial government to make the right decisions, invest where it matters most, and work with communities like Chilliwack to reduce crime, support recovery, and create lasting positive change.