I understand the frustration and worry of public money being used to pay for supportive housing.
Mr. Isherwood (A house does not make a home, Western News, Nov. 9) has made claims that are not supported by facts and statistics. Homeless people are from the cities they struggle with being homeless, services provided do not include dental or food, and these types of housing opportunities will help people who are struggling from payday to payday.
I have talked with the Penticton Superintendent of the RCMP and B.C. Housing’s staff about people struggling with homelessness in the city.
Statistically, the majority of people who are living on the streets are from Penticton. The other portion is from the South Okanagan.
The facilities, like the 62 supportive housing unit, are being built across the province using funds from the Building B.C.: Rapid Response to Homelessness program. The program is going to help residents in cities across the province.
Every citizen of British Columbia is covered under healthcare.
That does not cover dental or food. The citizens living in these supportive housing units will be covered for healthcare because they are B.C. citizens.
Additional services provided will be supplied by ASK Wellness, a non-profit housing operator. The buildings will be staffed 24-7 to provide supportive services, such as access to mental health and addiction recovery programs, life skills training, and employment skills programming.
Programs to address the problems with solutions to get citizens back to living stable in our society and get them working again.
Housing projects, like this 62 unit building, are there because housing is becoming unaffordable and unavailable for many British Columbians.
This year my roommate and I were evicted out of the condo we were renting because the landlord’s son was going to move in.
If it was not for knowing someone at the right time and making close friends I would be homeless.
There is not a lot of housing options for individuals in Penticton who want to live here for the long term. I am glad housing programs from B.C. Housing and the province are being implemented because I know I have a place to live if I become homeless.
We do not get to make many choices when we are born. We do not get to choose our family, race, gender, upbringing and house we live in. All of which affect how we grow as person. We do have a choice on how we treat people. I am proud our city and the province is building a 62 unit supportive housing project to help support people with mental health and addiction problems which will hopefully grow dignity within them and get them back on their feet.
A house is not a home. Your home is the community you live in. I want to live in a community with values to treat our citizens with dignity, respect and compassion.
Isaac Gilbert
Penticton