Editor:
There are many legitimate concerns regarding the location selected for a low-barrier supportive facility for the homeless in Gibsons. This project was first announced in March 2019 and politicians from three levels of government were happy to pat each other on the back. It came across as a done deal. There was no public consultation and no mention of low-barrier housing or what it involved. Suddenly, we were told, there would be a 40-unit low-barrier facility for the homeless in Gibsons! No detox, no supervised injection, no curfew, no restrictions on drug use or street activities. Many people found this very hard to accept.
The site selected for the Gibsons low-barrier facility is within a block of Gibsons Elementary School, on the corner of a very busy intersection. The property will need to be rezoned as it is in the middle of a single-family residential neighbourhood. There will be no parking for tenants, no yard to speak of, no green belt and no privacy. On the other hand, a similar facility in Sechelt is located on a quiet dead-end street on the edge of a field. There aren’t any schools nearby and it is surrounded by like-sized buildings. The hospital, the mental health clinic and Arrowhead provide services for the homeless and are also located in Sechelt. A lot of thought went into selecting the location in Sechelt. The Gibsons council needs to stop the process, consult with the citizens of Gibsons and investigate other options, more suitable to everyone. This is an important project and it is worthwhile to take the time, right now, to do it right!
Linda Atkins, Gibsons
