Why is the City not moving those who are unhoused out of my neighbourhood?
The City has found that enforcement action often shifts the issue from one area to another but does not resolve it.
Additionally, a number of those who are unhoused in New Westminster have significant ties to the community, based on the latest Point-in-Time statistics collected in 2023.
Approximately 19% lived in New Westminster for one to five years and 44% lived in New Westminster for six or more years. Combined, this accounts for 63% of those who are unhoused. As such, and within the time periods in question, 37% of those who were unhoused relocated to New Westminster.
By comparison, between 2016 and 2021 and based on the 2021 Census, 36% of all residents had relocated to New Westminster. This indicates those who are unhoused are not as transient as some believe, and that connections to a variety of support networks are important.