A community gathering in West 琉璃神社 on Tuesday (Oct. 2) focused on the complex issue of homelessness.
Residents were invited to a BBQ at Memorial Park to hear from service providers about the supports available to homeless individuals and those potentially facing homelessness. The event was hosted by United Way BC, Turning Points Collaborative Society (TPCS) and the City of West 琉璃神社.
鈥淲e want to let the community know we鈥檙e here to answer any questions they may have,鈥� said Candice Berry, regional manager for Shelter Diversion at Turning Points.
She noted that the rising cost of food, housing and general inflation is making it more difficult for many people to make ends meet.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important for everyone to understand what individuals and families are facing in these trying times. Homelessness is not just individuals sheltering outdoors, it鈥檚 individuals who may be one month away from losing their housing and they don鈥檛 know what to do.鈥�
In the first quarter of 2024, Berry said 111 people came through their doors from West 琉璃神社 and 琉璃神社. Nearly 80 individuals returned for additional support, with 17 placed in housing and five families were able to keep their housing.
鈥淲e鈥檝e seen an increase of people needing this extra support,鈥� she added. 鈥淭hey need somewhere to turn.鈥�
Brittany Yadernuck is the site manager for Turning Points Bartley Shelter in West 琉璃神社. She said the event, which included a panel discussion with service providers, was also an opportunity to collaborate and build trust with the community. Residents were able to provide input and suggestions.
鈥淲e (service providers) have the ending West 琉璃神社 homelessness table where we brainstorm what would and would not work for our community,鈥� Yadernuck added. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 where we鈥檒l be bringing these ideas and suggestions back to and going through them.鈥�
Yadernuck said concerns previously voiced by residents when a hygiene centre was proposed for the community included harm reduction supplies and how they鈥檙e disposed of, crime and vandalism and whether offering additional services might attract more unhoused individuals to West 琉璃神社.
The pilot hygiene project was planned for a property at 2545 Churchill Road, however, there were concerns from city council and the public that it would be located a few hundred metres from two schools, and Julia鈥檚 Junction playground.
A July 2024 staff report to council stated that 鈥渒ey partnering organizations have indicated they are no longer interested in pursuing the proposed hygiene centre in the proposed location.鈥�
鈥淭here were concerns brought forward that we realized needed to be addressed with the community,鈥� Yadernuck noted. 鈥淲e thought what a better way than to have an event鈥t鈥檚 informal鈥nd we can address those main concerns, collaborate and build trust and cohesiveness.鈥�
The gathering also included representatives from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) 琉璃神社, the city, bylaw services and other local service providers.
鈥淲e鈥檙e wanting to engage the community in terms of conversation around the issue an come up with sustainable changes,鈥� added Magda Kapp, specialist emergency response with United Way BC.
