The battle over a proposed homeless shelter in Vancouver’s Marpole neighbourhood made news headlines last week, but the issues were all too familiar to people on the Sunshine Coast.
Enraged residents brandishing signs with slogans such as “Kids’ Safety First,” “Not Across From Our Schools,” and “Our Voices Matter.” Homeless shelter defenders pointing to the critical and growing need amid the onset of winter, arguing that the same fears have proven groundless in other neighbourhoods.
The message in Marpole, however, is clear. Yes, the shelter is needed, but put it on industrial land. Or put it over there. Put it just about anywhere, except here.
Imagine being homeless and at the same time, so unwelcome.
A similar scenario has been playing out in Sechelt since BC Housing proposed a modular 30-35 bed homeless shelter on district-owned land at Ebbtide Street and Trail Avenue. It would replace the inadequate shelter at St. Hilda’s Church, where for years clients have been sleeping on mats on the floor. It would be open 24/7 and would be fully staffed.
The proponents held an open house and a public information meeting, but nothing that was said could mollify the opposition.
It’s the right idea, of course, but always in the wrong place.
We’re now into a crisis situation. St. Hilda’s has extended its deadline for the shelter’s stay in the church annex until Dec. 1. BC Housing is now scrambling to set up a temporary shelter at the Upper Deck Guesthouse on Wharf Avenue.
Everything is in the hands of the District of Sechelt.
Cathlin Hess, an outside volunteer for the St. Hilda’s shelter and a resident of the Ebbtide neighbourhood, made a touching appeal to Sechelt council this week.
“I’m just begging you,” she wrote, “to please, push through and do whatever you must to ensure the shelter modulars get in place ASAP. This is breaking my heart. I know these people currently at St. Hilda’s. I know we have many more who have nowhere to go. Mum and I are fine living next to the new shelter – and she’s an 83-year-old widow.”
Hess says she is now asking for donations of tents, tarps and sleeping bags.
The situation is grim. The whole Sunshine Coast is looking to Sechelt council for an effective, compassionate response to this regional emergency.
