Preventing Homelessness in Abbotsford
Starting April 1, 2024, CEDAR Outreach rolled out a new program dedicated to reducing and preventing homelessness in Abbotsford. The Prevention and Diversion program is operational seven days a week, from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., and works with people who are at risk of homelessness or have recently become homeless. We help keep people in their current rental units, or divert them away from the shelter system to find appropriate and affordable homes. Funding for this program was provided through the City of Abbotsford as part of the federal Reaching Home Program.
Housing is a fundamental human right.
Addressing the Rising Cost of Living & Housing Shortages
With inflation driving up the cost of living and wages stagnating, many people are paying unsustainable portions of their income on rent. Some of these renters face unlawful eviction, with limited support systems to help them protect their rights. Ideally, only 30% of one’s income should go towards rent, but many find themselves paying much more. There are serious shortages in secure, appropriate and affordable housing for low to moderate income earners. The average rent in BC increased 30% from 2016 to 2021, making BC one of the most expensive places to live in Canada. In BC, there are more than 660,000 renter households and of those, 15.9% pay more than 50% of their gross income on rent and utilities.
“This program is important because any one of us can be in this position. All it takes is time away from work and I could need a supplement like this. It’s there for people in crisis. We are, as British Columbians, struggling right now. To have an accessible, non-judgmental program that is just a phone call away, is beneficial to our community.”
Abbotsford’s Housing Crisis
Abbotsford’s shelter system is overwhelmed, with permanent shelters at capacity year-round and emergency shelters at capacity each winter. According to the 2023 Point-in-Time Homeless Count and Survey Regional Report, the Fraser Valley has seen a 216% increase in homelessness since 2014. The Prevention & Diversion Program is here to help catch people from falling between the cracks and becoming entrenched into deeper poverty.
There is not just one cause of homelessness, and the demographics of individuals facing housing insecurity are diverse and ever-changing. Many people are living paycheck-to-paycheck and often have to decide between paying rent or paying for groceries when money is tight. Unforeseen circumstances prevent tenants from making rent payments on time, such as emergency vet visits, getting shifts cut at work, or late child-support payments. Some people may be facing difficulties in their lives that put their housing at risk, such as divorce, in-home violence, or a death in the family. Seniors living alone and with housing insecurity are a rising demographic in Abbotsford. Many retirees find that their pension does not cover the full cost of living. Countless factors can contribute to someone’s risk of homelessness.
“When somebody is homeless, it can contribute to other barriers. It is stressful if you find out that you cannot pay your rent and are at risk of sleeping outside. That is huge and it contributes to physical sickness and poor mental health.”
Prevention and Diversion: A Two-Pronged Approach
Our goal is to prevent homelessness by keeping people housed where they currently are and diverting those who have recently become homeless away from shelters and into sustainable and safe housing options. Prevention efforts focus on avoiding eviction and stabilizing housing situations, while diversion strategies aim to rehouse individuals quickly, often by mediating with landlords or finding new housing options.
Comprehensive Support for Housing Insecurity
The Prevention and Diversion program is designed to provide wrap-around services to those facing housing insecurity and eviction. Our Prevention & Diversion Workers serve as bridges between landlords and tenants, ensuring that tenants remain housed and those searching for rentals can navigate the difficult housing market successfully. We connect Abbotsford residents to affordable housing options, and other community services such as employment opportunities, food banks, legal advocates, mental health support, and more.
Empowering Individuals with Life Skills
We provide life skills coaching to help individuals create budgets, access employment opportunities, and help people understand their rights as renters. This empowerment includes teaching effective communication with current and prospective landlords and standing out in a competitive rental market. If you’re facing barriers finding an affordable rental unit in Abbotsford, we can plan with you, identify housing search tools, and offer transportation options to view potential rentals.
“We are here to support people so they can meet their goals, their aspirations, their desires, because they are human beings. We treat them with respect, non-judgement, and I derive joy in seeing that any set goal is achieved.”
Services Provided
Subsidies for renters in crisis or facing eviction
Assistance identifying housing in the rental market
Financial aid for damage deposits
Connections to legal advocates, food banks, and other community services
Help to obtain necessary documents and ID recovery
Mediation between tenants and landlords
Application support for financial aid and housing programs
The Prevention & Diversion Program is here to catch those at risk of falling into homelessness, providing the necessary support to keep our community housed and thriving. Together, we can prevent homelessness and build a stronger, more resilient Abbotsford.