Organizers of an emergency action planning forum in support of the housing project for the homeless at 7300 Elmbridge Way claimed they had to turn people away as the turnout was so great at Richmond Caring Place Wednesday evening.
The meeting “From NIMBY (not in my back yard) to YIMBY (yes in my back yard)” drew a diversity of individuals including long-time residents and newcomers, seniors and youth, parents, local social services, service clubs and members of faith communities, underscoring “their belief that they want Richmond to be a welcoming and compassionate community,” noted the press release.
De Whalen, chair of Richmond Poverty Response Committee told the crowd, “This is the right thing to do. We have a social responsibility to house our most vulnerable residents. Housing is a human right and everyone deserves a home and help when they need it.”
Victor Kim, minister of Richmond Presbyterian Church stated, “We are not guided by a sense of scarcity, but rather one of abundance, that the issue of supportive housing is not a zero sum game, where there have to be winners and losers, but can be one in which all those everyone who desires to call Richmond home should be able to find a place of belonging and care.”
The group will urge city councillors and the general public to support the housing development through petitions, letter writing, public rallies, talking to individual councillors and correcting misinformation, while promoting the message, “7300 Elmbridge is the right place! This is the right time! We need supportive housing right now!”
The group’s next meeting is March 28 at Richmond Presbyterian Church from 6-8 p.m. For more information contact de [email protected].
