City needs to find proper housing for the homeless
By Lethbridge Herald on June 22, 2022.
Editor:
Walking through Lethbridge’s tent city outside the shelter the other day and seeing drug paraphernalia (needles) on the ground made me think I was in the downtown East Side of Vancouver. I have lived in the city for over 30 years and have enjoyed living here. I understand on a basic level the complexity of solving the homeless/addiction problem. Sometimes, I engage in wishful thinking wanting to have the City of Lethbridge move the shelter into the old Save-On Foods building that has been dormant for many years. I encourage the City to use their brain power to find housing for the struggling people who live in tent city.
John Hill
Lethbridge
5-4
Get your head out of the sand…. A great many of those homeless are there by their own choice. We constantly offer help and resources to them; they even choose to not attend the shelter. So despite the $$millions that the taxpayer throws at them, this is a lost cause. They don’t want our help!!
And as a taxpayer, I have had enough of the City wasting my money on this crap.
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This might be a good read including the area subtitled, “Why the taxpayer argument does not hold up.”
“Housing is a human right: How Finland is eradicating homelessness”
http://www.cbc.ca/radio/sunday/the-sunday-edition-for-january-26-2020-1.5429251/housing-is-a-human-right-how-finland-is-eradicating-homelessness-1.5437402
And, we need to keep in mind how homelessness and addictions are intertwined.
Excellent article Mr. Southern Alberta. Thank you for submitting it. Kudos to Sam Tsemberis, Juha Kaakinen and Finland.
Perhaps I am speaking out of turn; if the City of Medicine Hat had the ability to implement this surely something similar could be done here.
Again, I am not suggesting a solution fall fully on Lethbridge, and it’s tax payers. It is a complex, divisive subject. I realize that. Perhaps there could be a jointly funded solution amongst all levels of governments, including Indigenous, and maybe even some private funding.
This is going to sound preachy and may turn some people off; think of what images, feelings come to mind when we think of a home. I suspect those same feelings, images would appear in those who may need it most. With the stability of a home established, the possibility of rehabilitation for those who are ready willing and able to accept treatment may be possible.
I understand any addiction counsellor will tell you; relapse is a normal part of treatment. Those of you who have battled alcoholism, or any addiction will understand this.
I am a pet owner and a pet lover, but it appears we may treat our pets better than we treat our homeless. At least we were up until the panic of the pandemic ended, now it appears sadly more are being abandoned as well.
All I know for sure is that something needs to be done. This tragedy cannot continue to be ignored and hope it will go away.
The problem is not that simple to resolve John. I agree that we need to find a solution that works, for the most part.
First we must acknowledge that every city is different and needs different solutions to match their own needs to resolve the issues. Many even look at other countries thinking it will work here, not understanding the norms, values and mores in those countries are different and they do not have over representation of indigenous peoples that historically have high rates of addiction, homelessness, violence/domestic violence and mental health issues now on our streets. Every city has different levels of representation.
You mention DTES Vancouver, where the numbers hover between 40-55% indigenous. Where as Lethbridge has had numbers as high as 90% and until recently hovered around 85%, but throw what I suspect were from organizations, not proven, sending their problems and overflows to our great city, we now see what I would estimate would be about 75% indigenous/Metis.
This flows into my second part: We live next door to the largest indigenous community in Canada, the Kainai Nation, as well as 3 other nearby indigenous communities that impact our city with homeless/addicts/crime. The US Blackfeet community, the Pikani Nation and Siksika Nation. We also see indigenous on our streets from other areas of the province and other provinces.
We could build a highrise for homeless and it would fill up immediately and more people would hear about it and flow into Lethbridge, live in tents waiting for them to be put up. Once they are put up, and the tent cities disappear, within weeks more people arrive and are in tent cities.
IT IS PERPETUAL! It has been proven and the DTES is the perfect example where over 44% of people there have recently moved there from other provinces, because of all the services provided.
The more services provided, sadly, the more people it attracts, even some from the US and other countries are found on the DTES streets.
Edmonton found that setting aside one area for the tent cities failed as well, since it filled up and then overflow went to the other areas again.
If many of these people didn’t have all the services, the food delivered to them by organizations where they are, free clothing, drinks, as well as the food banks and the soup kitchen that serves meals that many seniors cannot afford even, then they would either find a job or get the help they need so they do not go hungry or die from drugs.
Our compassion, and there is nothing wrong with that, is slowly killing them! We really need to realize this! I am not saying starve them! I am saying they need to go the soup kitchen to eat and not have everyone come to them.
Why work when you can get it for free and get your support check to blow.
Finally, there are many on the streets as well that need to be under the care of mental health experts and have always had these issues. Our govenment ended major support for these facilities decadesa ago, putting many out on the streets.
The issues are complex and as someone else noted, we need the federal and provincial goverments and the parties to unite to come up with solutions, because right now we are literally burning up billions of taxpayer’s dollars to slowly kill them, with no end in sight! The PM has made it so easy for people to get high on drugs and it is detroying lives and our great country!
It never hurts to observe what is being done successfully in other jurisdictions and determining whether good ideas can be adopted.
Mr. Hill
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for your profound commentary, and courage to speak out with a potential solution in mind. I, and my family and friends have also often thought / wondered about this possible solution.
There are a number of old empty deteriorating, depreciating, commercial and industrial /warehouse buildings which have sat empty for a long long time.
These buildings possibly could and possibly should be brought back to some form of productive, purposeful life. By doing so, the potential exists for the same thing to happen to the people would could need and benefit from them.
The Old Save -On Foods building could be a perfect example. Empty building worldwide are being retrofitted into homeless shelters, seniors housing, indoor and or vertical farming facilities and many other purposes.
The Save -On Foods building and or the Northside Safeway store may be appropriate locations for such projects. Both buildings are large enough of offer; a rehabilitation facility (for those willing), a housing unit and or a vocational/ job training facility (for those able and willing)
Southern Alberta is so agricultural based.
Inflation and a possible impending food crisis may be on many minds. Perhaps these buildings could on a pro-active basis provide some solution to a multitude of issues; ie indoor year round agricultural production, vertical farms are a real thing and could possibly offer additional agricultural diversification or added in Southern Alberta.
These are just ideas. I know the workability would need to be worked out, but where there is a will there is a way.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have Rehabilitation, Housing and possible Vocational/Job training all under one roof? That could possibly enable those willing, ready and capable to return to the living to return to some productivity?, to acquire a sense of purpose and self worth they may have once had?
Heck even living in a $300 Costco tent would be like the Taj Mahal for many in their current situation.
Southern Alberta is full of so many talented, creative, caring, compassionate, considerate, generous, intelligent people. From Scientists, University and College Professors, Educators, Engineers, Farmers, and skilled Craftsmen.
It may sound silly but; Perhaps Hutterite colonies could be convinced to diversify and manufacture tiny homes, on site or in one of these buildings (and teach useful construction skills for those willing ready and able).
Perhaps farmers or our agricultural research centre’s could / would be willing to establish indoor green houses or vertical farms and teach skills as well. Perhaps our trailer manufacturers could retrofit horse trailers into tiny homes.
Perhaps the old Boston Pizza on the south side could be retrofitted or other empty buildings. I fear there be many more on the market due to possible economic times.
Perhaps the old Sears location in the Park Place Mall could be retrofitted to seniors housing.
Yes questions of revenues, expenses and maintenance need to be addressed. All of the above would be expensive. But as pursuit diver so aptly puts it “people are dying”. What is a life worth?
Perhaps one possible solution may be to dismantle the confidential and secretive UCP WAR ROOM and transfer utilize that $30 Million dollars as a starting point for some thing more relevant, and. critical today. Especially with $120.00 barrel of oil prices currently. Yes, that may not last indefinitely.
Perhaps there could be some joint funding structure established involving Provincial, Municipal, Federal, Indigenous bands and private dollars.
But it may be a more rationale use of public money , than a secret government department whose only “battle” has been with a Disney children’s cartoon. I don’t think the “War Room” won that battle.
I truly do not believe comparing our situation with what was successful or unsuccessful in other location is relevant. Any solution should be based on localized, individualized needs.
Lastly I would like to give kudos to pursuit diver as well. His points are well made and taken.
“Our compassion, and there is nothing wrong with that, is slowly killing them! We really need to realize this! I am not saying starve them! I am saying they need to go the soup kitchen to eat and not have everyone come to them.
Why work when you can get it for free and get your support check to blow.
Finally, there are many on the streets as well that need to be under the care of mental health experts and have always had these issues. Our government ended major support for these facilities decades ago, putting many out on the streets.
The issues are complex and as someone else noted, we need the federal and provincial goverment’s and the parties to unite to come up with solutions, because right now we are literally burning up billions of taxpayer’s dollars to slowly kill them, with no end in sight!
The PM has made it so easy for people to get high on drugs and it is destroying lives and our great country!” (pursuit diver)
So sad but true (my comments), but it affects, and impacts all of us not just the Indigenous.
It affects, people on the street like; the lawyer who became an alcoholic and now cannot even keep a job as a security guard, it affects the 70 year old man (Richard) who got cancer and no longer is able to speak, it affects the construction worker who lost his job and everything due to a back injury, it affects the man who lost everything due to a bad divorce, and sadly it affects individuals like the (Caucasian) young girl who looked to be no more than 12 years old , my brother and I gave a bag of bottles too.
Perhaps; I am a dreamer, naïve, idealistic. I realize we cannot save everyone. At the same time I believe we should and could try to do everything we can. If we came together to solve the issue perhaps we can.
To the naysayers; I say where there is a will there has to be a way.
Les Elford
It was just 10 or so years ago SHIA social housing in action declared homelessness defeated in Lethbridge. Front page coverage. Gotta wonder where the hell that went.
Yup …. Ya sure do!
So Les, you want to dispense the homeless into the northside? I do not think that adding all of the used needles and drug paraphernalia to an area with 3 schools, a swimming pool, an ice arena within three blocks of the Safeway as well as all of the senior residents is and young families that live in that vicinity. The old Save-On-Foods would be better as it is close to the shelter and downtown, the areas they frequent.
Perhaps they should build an addictions treatment centre on the edge of the city between the west side and the reserve. That way they are close to amenities, but away from the influences that try to keep them addicted.
Sir:
Thank you for your feedback. I appreciate it. You may be right about Safeway, I don’t disagree with you. It may have deteriorated much more from being empty so long. I was just throwing out ideas, and am glad it has stimulated thoughts.
The Save on Foods building seems more workable.
There are many empty buildings in town which may be just as applicable. The old nightclub on 2nd Ave S (I don’t remember the name of it) It was an over 21 club I think. Anyways, it is empty and may possibly be workable as well. Although it is smaller in size.
Something needs to be done. Perhaps the Eldorado RV building and lot or the land in the river bottom, across from the Par 3 golf course, could be utilized somehow.
Thanks again
I forgot to mention. Perhaps the old Safeway building could be better suited for; additional housing for seniors, the building could be retrofitted, accordingly.
If someone can take the old Bianca Armour building on Mayor Magrath Drive South and turn it into ae beautiful modern looking office building. Surely the same is possible with the old Safeway building. If the desire and will existed.
Don’t misunderstand; I don’t particularly see it as my role role to identify what can or could /should be done with these buildings.
I am just one person one voice, who does not have the necessary expertise or relevant business connections. I am just throwing out ideas, with the hope that others may see potential and have the necessary resources to accomplish something purposeful, or that others may have there own ideas with what could be done with these properties and not be afraid to share them.
These are just ideas I am proposing because it appears the relevant powers that be are not. I am under the impression it is falls within the purview of our Local, Provincial and Federally elected officials to help attract and maintain economic development, employment and social development within the City of Lethbridge.
Perhaps they have been doing so. The buildings I have identified have remained vacant for a long time. I simply see possible alternate uses for these buildings. It would be a shame to see them torn down unless something else could be developed on the site.
Possible uses like; seniors housing (the old Sears location in the Park Place Mall would /could be possibly utilized for this as well.
Southern Alberta is so agricultural based. We are fortunate to have so much agricultural expertise and experience within the area.
With a possible food shortage on the way. Possibly there is something which could be effective on a proactive basis, rather than reactive.
Perhaps some type of value added agricultural facility could be developed in the Safeway building; ie indoor year round produce production?, vertical farms where multiple harvests could occur unimpeded by weather conditions. Yes this would be costly, but it is being done worldwide.
Heck; even if a local co-op were formed somehow and the Safe way building were turned into a year round indoor community garden or farmers market.
I suspect the citizens in the Safeway neighborhood and area do not appreciate the building sitting empty and possibly depreciating the value of their properties. In addition, I suspect the City of Lethbridge does not appreciate the loss of tax revenue from this property.
John I deal with many of these folks in my line of work from time to time, and I always try to see where many are in their head. More often than not they don’t want to lift themselves out of their predicament and enjoy the free range lifestyle. But on occasion I do run into a few that are smart enough to map a path onto a better future. The last thing all of them need is coddling of any kind except in the rare few cases.
you are then aware that many if not most of these folk were so damaged before birth that they have no ability to learn skills or consistently make rational decisions. that so very many of these affected people are left to their own devices is as nasty as if we left 6-8 year olds to fend for themselves.