TMH debate continues to rage
Who's ruining the neighbourhood?
Dear Editor,
Re: “I don’t want homeless ruining neighbourhood,” Letters, April 19.
I was horrified to see that someone would actually write: “It’s not fair to ruin it (the city) for a few homeless to spoil.”
I personally do not want people with this attitude to spoil our city.
It’s certainly not fair that anyone has to experience homelessness. Sometimes people do not have housing due to factors beyond their control. Also, in Richmond at this time, rental housing is either far too expensive for anyone on income assistance or non-existent.
The writer also has her facts wrong.
I checked with city staff who advised me that the staff at 7300 Elmbridge Way will not be security guards. They will be support staff who are there to assist the residents, not because of expected security issues.
Also, the event at Brighouse Library was arranged as an information session, not to sign a petition against the building of modular housing.
In my work as a volunteer at St. Alban’s Church, I have come to know several people who are experiencing homelessness. They are people like you and me who are experiencing unfortunate circumstances, not people to be feared and shunned.
I would welcome them as my neighbours and know that others in Richmond have the compassion to do the same.
Wendy Meloche
RICHMOND
Dear Editor,
Re: “I don’t want homeless ruining neighbourhood,” Letters, April 19.
I was horrified to read the missive from Cecilia James on April 19. What a lack of empathy for these disadvantaged people.
I don’t assume it will be all problem-free, but Ms. James fails to realize that once these “homeless” people are housed, they are no longer homeless and that will solve problems.
She notes that it’s a “high-end” neighbourhood and condos go for one million. How nice some people can pay that.
Shona Miller
RICHMOND
Dear Editor,
Re: “I don’t want homeless ruining neighbourhood,” Letters, April 19.
I don’t want people with attitudes like Cecilia James ruining my neighbourhood. Where and when can I sign a petition?
Jordana Frost
RICHMOND
Dear Editor,
Re: “I don’t want homeless ruining neighbourhood” Letters, April 19.
According to Cecilia James, “there are other areas these homeless can be relocated.”
Where would she suggest this housing be put? It doesn’t matter where the city locates a homeless shelter, the protests regarding the location will be there. An emergency shelter on Horseshoe Way was not welcomed because the owner of a nearby gym said crime will increase and risk the safety of the children who attend his gym, even though the RCMP detachment is right across the street.
Where are the homeless supposed to go when they obviously have nothing. Not all homeless people are into drugs, alcohol etc. These are people without shelter (yes, they are “people”, not “these homeless”) and they deserve society’s help, the community’s help.
There’s always going to be a NIMBY attitude, whether in Richmond, Vancouver or anywhere else in a community.
Whether the developers of the area knew about this proposed location, you would have to look at the OCP before the Oval was built to see if it was proposed. But communities change, and now there is a need for the homeless housing.
People complain if there is a homeless person on their street and they complain if there is a shelter on their street. You can’t have it both ways!
Wendy Hayer
RICHMOND
Children and seniors are vulnerable too
Dear Editor,
I was very honored to have participated in the Temporary Modular Housing forum hosted by the municipal government on April 20.
After the forum, I feel it is very necessary to express some of my thoughts.
First of all, I was puzzled. I thought I was discussing the TMH project, but city staff spent a long time explaining affordable housing and showed us a Storeys (subsidized housing development) video, which took about 20 minutes.
This was an entirely irresponsible attitude.
Next, through questions and answers, BC Housing made it clear some TMH tenants may have criminal records or mental health or addiction issues, and the selections of tenants will be made based on BC Housing’s Vulnerability Assessment Tool (VAT.)
This makes residents like us very uneasy; there is no clear procedure for the public to know. In the absence of strict measures and supporting support, such a group of people will be put into the TMH surrounded by 12 kindergartens, one elementary school, one central park, one senior center, swimming center, playground and soccer field.
I, and many other residents, feel it is extremely irresponsible to our community — a kind of neglect and infringement.
When we asked how to prevent the situation being tracked or brutally abused, Raincity told us that if there was a similar situation, the staff would find him as soon as possible and expel him according to the “good neighbour agreement.” So we want to know, what about the injured person?
How does the attitude of problem-solving convince us that TMH will not mess up to our community? Who is responsible for the damage caused?
As a result, before getting more detailed and transparent commitments and writing in paper, please show mercy to our community, our seniors, our women, our children who also are the most vulnerable people, say NO to TMH.
Kate Liu
RICHMOND
