93-year-old homeless man struggles to find housing

Clifford Labree is a 93-year-old man who has lived in a shelter in Surrey for 18 months. He feels grateful for the help he receives there, especially feeling secure and knowing he has access to an ambulance if needed. Labree often expresses concern about where he would go if he had to leave the shelter, stating, "Where am I going to go? There's nothing." His situation highlights a broader issue in British Columbia, where many seniors struggle to find affordable housing. The Surrey Urban Mission is working to find a more suitable home for Labree, but there are currently no available options for supportive housing in the area. Janet Brown, a spokesperson for the mission, emphasized the importance of keeping Labree safe and off the streets. In 2023, nearly 14,000 seniors applied for subsidized housing in British Columbia. This number represents a significant increase of 59 percent compared to five years earlier. Unfortunately, very few received assistance, with only about 900 placements made. The B.C. Ministry of Health is currently reviewing Labree’s situation and plans to provide updates soon. For now, Labree feels at home in the shelter and wishes to stay there as long as he can, jokingly stating, "When I die they can carry me out."