Dear Editor,
Re: “Try gratitude,” Letters, Sept. 29.
As someone who grew up in Richmond and recently read all the letters regarding the homeless shelter, it seems to me people are bashing business owners in the Ironwood Mall district.
I work in the vicinity; I also work with kids, so would like to share my thoughts on this situation.
Yes, the homeless are in need of homes. However, it was quite a shock to find out the public had not been informed of this move early on.
The city sent a letter to the businesses in the area just one week prior to hosting an information meeting that told neighbours a homeless shelter will be built in their area. It’s a huge shock, and there was no forewarning.
I have been working as a private teacher with kids for more than 10 years now. If my tutoring business was right beside a homeless shelter, I may or may not care.
As long as the kids are safe and I keep the doors locked, it is not a big deal.
However, I would be concerned about my business. Clients can choose where they want to take classes. For some businesses, it is not hard to relocate, but for a place like Wayland Sports, which has a swimming pool, it would be almost impossible.
Ying Wang is not upset about having homeless people residing beside him, he is upset that many families have already said they will quit his program if this homeless shelter is built.
You cannot force someone to stay in your program, and no matter the safety, parents will have the “what if” thought in the back of their minds.
If the shelter is built, I believe at least 50 per cent of Wayland’s clients will drop out. With customers leaving, revenues will decrease, people will lose jobs (there are around 50 coaches and people on staff at Wayland Sports). That would make 50 people out of a job, and what if some of them can’t pay their bills, rent or afford food?
That would just increase the number of homeless. Not to mention that is one less medium-sized business paying taxes to the city. And we all know what happens when there are too few taxpayers.
So, what is more important: Maintaining the city’s revenue and generating taxes so the city can thrive, or having this affected with a homeless shelter?
Chrissy Weng
Richmond
