Thousands Turned Away in Surrey

💔 The Human Cost: Thousands Turned Away in Surrey 💔

In Surrey, the numbers are shocking. Last year alone, 3,500 women and children were turned away from shelters—with nowhere safe to go. ❌ Many are fleeing domestic violence, living in fear, or struggling in unsafe situations. Since 2020, lockdowns and rising abuse have made this crisis even worse. 😔

Vera LeFranc, consultant to the Surrey Homelessness and Housing Society (SHHS), admits there is an “extreme shortage of accommodation” for women and children. While the society focuses on long-term capital projects and funding readiness, immediate lifesaving shelters are overwhelmed. ⚠️

Real People, Real Lives at Risk

• Women escaping violent situations often have no safe place to sleep. 🏃‍♀️
• Children are left without stability, impacting their safety, health, and education. 📚
• Shelters and programs are underfunded or limited, creating heartbreaking turn-aways. 💔

Even with millions invested and hundreds of units planned, the gap between long-term projects and urgent needs is deadly. Many families are being forced to couch-surf, sleep in unsafe conditions, or remain trapped in abusive homes. 🛏️⚡

💡 This post isn’t just about numbers—it’s about lives. Every turn-away represents a person who may face harm simply because the system isn’t meeting immediate demand.

Stay tuned for Post 3, where we’ll look at the board, funding decisions, and accountability. Who decides priorities, and why are critical shelters still under-resourced? 👀

🌟 Sources: Peace Arch News