Dianne Woodhouse, a local advocate for the homeless, is hoping a joint effort amongst social service agencies will help get people off the streets this winter, considering there continues to be minimal support from all levels of government.
“We haven’t seen much way in action from the (City of Richmond),” said Woodhouse.
However, a recent $250,000 provincial grant to Turning Point Recovery Society has helped in hiring a homeless outreach coordinator, James Caspersen, who doubles as St. Alban Anglican Church’s drop-in program coordinator.
The church, Turning Point and Chimo Community Services are serving as “boots on the ground,” said Woodhouse.
She estimates that over the past year advocates and outreach workers for the homeless have taken about a dozen people off the streets.
In some cases developers have partnered with the groups to find temporary homes for people in need, said Woodhouse.
She noted the main problem is access to affordable housing.
“It’s almost impossible for anyone (living on government assistance) to find housing in Richmond,” she said.
Woodhouse is, once again, calling on all levels of government to create a housing strategy for the city’s poorest residents.
She added that she personally feels face-to-face outreach is the best way to go and simply opening a homeless shelter must be done with attentiveness as to not create a “mini Downtown Eastside.”
When asked, Coun. Alexa Loo said she would support more municipal funding for Richmond’s homeless population, which is estimated to be 100-200.
She said Richmond city council needs to sit down to devise a plan, but noted that has not happened yet.
Loo said supporting homeless people could have a spin off by reducing crime rates.
The homeless are part of our community. …And when they do live on our streets, are they committing crimes to support themselves? Then what? So do you spend the money in the first place or the second place to help people?”
So far, this month, the emergency shelter at St. Alban — which has 16 beds — has opened several times due to inclement weather.
Woodhouse said the Ministry of Housing has relaxed the threshold to open the shelter and expects it to be open more than last winter.
“It’s a little more flexible this year,” said Woodhouse.
