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Letter: Homeless are welcome in my Richmond neighbourhood

Dear Editor, Re: “A community divided?” Richmond News, March 8. I have lived in Richmond all my life. I graduated from Steveston High.
modular housing
Hundreds of residents in Brighouse area protesters showed up at the site currently being considered for a 40-unit complex to house homeless people. The residents wanted to express their opposition to the project. Daisy Xiong photo

Dear Editor,

Re: “A community divided?” Richmond News, March 8.

I have lived in Richmond all my life. I graduated from Steveston High.  I have been proud to be from Richmond — that is until I saw the story about fellow Richmond residents rejecting housing for homeless people. 

They say that they fear a shelter for people with no home more than a kilometre from their houses will drive the value of their houses down. 

First, I doubt that it will drive down the price of houses that are so far away.  But a person who will see a fellow human being sleep out in the elements on a piece of cardboard in a doorway over a possible reduction in house value would make a poor neighbour indeed. 

And you say a dog off-leash park is more important to you than housing people?  You fear for your luxury car?  Have you considered living in another community? 

Your values seem inconsistent with other folks in Richmond.  And, here is a surprise for you; they are living in your area now they are just hiding from the elements trying to keep warm and alive. 

To Mayor Brodie, there is plenty of room for the shelter in my neighbourhood. An election is coming up and Richmond people care about human beings!

 Scott Stewart

Richmond