Surrey, B.C. (November 7, 2025): Surrey First councillor and candidate for mayor Linda Annis, says a proposal from BC Housing and Fraser Health to build 204 units of non-market rental housing, and 60 units of supportive and complex care housing adjacent to the Semiahmoo Town Centre in South Surrey should have “zero tolerance” for any kind of drug use.

 

Annis said she supports the affordable rental portion of the proposal but opposes the supportive and complex care parts because they accommodate on-site drug use.

 

“The track record of projects that allow or accommodate onsite drug use amount to a neighbourhood nightmare, and Surrey should make it clear that while treatment and recovery housing are welcome, projects that include drugs in any way, shape or form are definitely not welcome in our community or its neighbourhoods.”

 

Annis said BC Housing “talks a good game” when they propose supportive and complex care projects in local neighbourhoods, but services either never show up, or are insufficient to do the job.

 

“At the same time, making support services voluntary for people on drugs makes absolutely no sense, because their addiction is controlling their lives,” added Annis. “We also have a responsibility to our neighbourhoods to stand up and say no to this failed model that enables drug use and results in ruined neighbourhoods. The track record of the province and its agencies including BC Housing, in this regard is dismal and our neighbourhoods should not have to pay the price for this failed approach to housing and drug use.”

 

Annis said she is not surprised by the reaction and local opposition in South Surrey to the housing proposal.

 

“Drugs and street disorder are in the news every day, yet the provincial government continues to go down a road that has proved again and again that housing plus drugs destroys lives and neighbourhoods,” explained Annis. “Until the province moves away from accommodating drugs in taxpayer funded housing and puts the emphasis on treatment and recovery, these BC Housing projects are just a constant reminder that failure is inevitable, and neighbourhoods are left picking up the pieces.”