Council Asked To Consider
Smaller Complex To House Homeless
Smaller Complex To House Homeless
Members of the hospital area neighbourhood association (HANA), Miss Gwen Boyd and Mr. Jim Goldsack presented city council with a 1000+ signature petition opposing the 35 - 40 unit social housing complex planned for Dufferin and Boundary.
Their group has many concerns as to how this project will negatively impact their neighbourhood. Some of their concerns include: the proximity to schools in the area, the number of seniors who are housed in the neighbourhood and the fact that the area already has considerable facilities for people with either mental or addiction issues. They expressed a desire to help the homeless but feel that a complex of no more than 12 units would be a more successful and acceptable way of achieving that goal.
They presented council with several studies which supports the notion that this type of high density 'wet-housing' is not successful and that it does cause problems in the areas they are located. The lower density model which they feel is more home-like and less institutional like is desirable. They also felt that the general area is being asked to absorb more of Nanaimo's homeless than the rest of the city. They pointed out that between the project planned for Dufferin and the one planned for Quarterway, the area would become home for about 100 of Nanaimo's homeless.
City councilors asked questions of the group and city social planner, John Horn, tried to answer some of the groups concerns but it seems clear this project will be proceeding as city council is only one of the government bodies tasked with making this project become reality. BC Housing and VIHA are also very much involved with this and other projects aimed at assisting the homeless in our community.
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| John Horn Social Planner |
As someone who works in a "damp housing" facility within a 2 minute walk of the proposed development, I would like to state that there is a huge difficulty in getting the homeless who are active drug and alcohol users OFF the street. In fact, our "low barrier" housing has 6 beds and is almost NEVER full. I do not believe that Central Nanaimo residents and property owners (which I am one) are against low income housing at all. I am against housing for active drug and alcohol users receiving brand new housing opportunities, while working poor families find themselves living in substandard housing, as well as those people who have gone through treatment and those trying to live a sober life. The City should be focusing their efforts on offering housing targeting these types of people. As well, these types of high density housing for alcohol and drug addicts (which even proponents advocate low density housing facilities for these types of clients) are NEVER intended to be located close to schools or parks to ensure the safety of children. There are several schools within a short walk, and many children do use the lanes near the Chinese graveyard to get to and from school. I would ask that Mr. Horn and the City be forced to concede that the public has been lied to about the truth about the actual use of these proposed housing sites. Why is it that most residents (as well of developers and business owners) were not even aware of this development and the City FAILED to communicate EXACTLY what their intentions were and in some cases, they just lied to those who contacted Mr. Horn directly. According to the City’s own “Response to Homelessness in Nanaimo” document, it states that 57% of the homeless population uses STIMULANTS, not alcohol, with alcohol coming in a distant 21 percent. This development is targeting ACTIVE DRUG USERS, not just the alcoholics. The City is fully endorsing drug use in a family-oriented neighborhood that already offers housing for a multitude of organizations such as John Howard, Island Crisis Care Society, etc. After receiving well over 1100 signatures by the HANA last night, it will seem that the City needs to take a step back and review how to work with the neighborhood to provide housing that will not negatively affect resident's enjoyment of their property, nor devalue their real estate value.
ReplyDeleteIt would add more weight to the comment if it were not posted anonymously. Also the name of the under utilized facility would add to the argument against this type of housing as a solution to homelessness.
ReplyDeleteThe city of Nanaimo of course is only one of the partners in this project and BC Housing and VIHA play a larger role in this whole endeavour.
Dear Mr. Taylor,
ReplyDeleteI am the author of the letter advising that I work in a damp house and that facility is called Crescent House, for those of the unfamiliar with the damp housing initiatives in the Central Nanaimo. My name is Nicole Sendey and I have not blogged much in the past so for this reason, I did not include my name or place of work. However, seeing that it is of importance to you, you shall so be provided with this information. Unlike the City of Nanaimo, I, as a concerned citizen do not need to hide behind any veil of secrecy.