The discovery of the body of a homeless man in Abbotsford's downtown core on Wednesday morning is a distressing reminder of the need to solve the problem of homelessness, say community advocates.

Dave Murray, coordinator of Abbotsford's extreme weather program, said the death shouldn't have occurred.

"It's not acceptable for someone to die in the streets. It's not ... it's a tragedy," said Murray.

The man, believed to be in his late 50s, was discovered around 8:30 a.m. sprawled under a tree in a green space at the corner of George Ferguson Way and Gladys Avenue.

Police say there was no sign of trauma and the death is not considered suspicious, but the coroners service is investigating.

Salvation Army spokesperson Deb Lowell said the man was well known to the agency's outreach workers who are grief-stricken over his death.

He had used the Salvation Army's services in the past, but on Tuesday night did not come to the shelter, which had beds available.

The man habitually used shelters in extreme temperatures, said Murray, who didn't think the cold, rainy conditions Tuesday night was the sole reason the man perished.

"There could be numerous factors. We know very little at this point."

The victim's name was "Gary," said one of the two friends who discovered him.

Phyllis, who works downtown and often checks in with the homeless, used her cell phone to call 911.

"I knew he at first glance he was dead," she said.

Gary lived on the streets for a number of years, led a simple life, and never bothered anybody.

On one occasion, Phyllis gave Gary bus fare, and he made a concerted effort to pay her back.

"One welfare day he came up to me with a big smile on his face and gave (the money) back to me.

"I didn't expect it back. He was so honest."

The man's death fell on the same day the provincial government introduced new legislation which gives police the authority to take people to homeless shelters in extreme weather, even if doing so is against their will.

Police must be satisfied people are at risk of harm due to the weather before acting, Housing and Social Services Minister Rich Coleman stated in a press release.

Once at the shelter, people can decide if they want to stay.

The new laws, expected to pass sometime this winter, stem from concern around the death of a homeless woman in her shelter in Vancouver last winter, said Coleman.

"What we want to do is show people the supports available to them, including a warm bed and a hot meal," said Coleman.

"Our hope is that once they see these supports, they'll decide to stay at an emergency shelter, safe from the risks of extreme weather."

Murray said the plan is "highly problematic."

Most of the extreme weather shelters in Abbotsford are staffed by church volunteers.

"If you bring somebody in that doesn't want to be there, and you have a 60-year-old grandfather or grandmother helping out that night, what's that going to look like?"

The law also puts police in an awkward position, inadvertently pitting them against the homeless, who may go underground and be even less likely to take advantage of any services offered to them.

The solution to protecting people in extreme weather is easy, said Murray.

"We need more housing. That's obvious."

However, dealing with the issue of homelessness is not just a government responsibility, he stressed.

"It's everyone's responsibility – all of us. Businesses, churches, you, me ... that's the only way it's going to get fixed."