No need for separate women’s shelter away from Warmland
As the chief administrative officer of Duncan was instructed to change the zoning bylaw to exclude an emergency shelter in any zone in the City of Duncan, I can see one solution.
We currently have a purpose built homeless shelter, “Warmland House is an excellent, supportive, and safe place for both men and women.” Like most I am sympathetic to the plight of homelessness, to a degree, the “about 30 per cent of those who are currently homeless have drug problems” are an issue, “concerns including drug use and discarded drug paraphernalia, public intoxication, vandalism, theft, loitering and the impact on property values” are real and valid points to those of us being asked to pay for the shelters and/or permanent housing or rent monies.
I am guessing “the initiative emerged out of two point-in-time counts that found 17 women absolutely homeless…” fit this pattern, I also suspect that these are the same faces that we have seen for decades. Shelter needs to be a starting point for access to detox, rehab; people need to change poor life choices, and really work on themselves. What is the point of asking for a 15 bed temporary winter shelter for women, if you already know, 17 is a minimum number?
“The temporary shelter is needed because women do not feel safe going into the mixed-gender shelter, Warmland House”, “We also surveyed homeless women…and nine out of 11 women said they would not stay in a shelter next to the Warmland House mixed-gender shelter.” Really! Choices! Obviously you have other housing options. You want me to pay for it, it must fit into zoning — like the rest of the world, and the 70- and 80-year-olds have options with Duncan Manor and Kiwanis Village, to start.
With skyrocketing rents and an ongoing affordable housing shortage, being poor doesn’t mean or equal homeless. No one is entitled to be housed, clothed, fed, and their habits (alcohol, drugs, tobacco, tattoos) provided for. Most of this comes down to choices. Society generally expects adults to be able to look after themselves. To have acquired a general education, to be employed as best you can, to house yourself according to your means, to feed and clothe yourself, the basics.
The idea of a purpose built modular building, on the Warmland site, suits, as I do not believe the gardening area ever really caught on. So let’s turn some of that land into a women’s shelter. I said some of that land — next I expect we’ll hear we need a separate couples homeless shelter. Make sure we are building vertical, as I can’t guess what else may be requested down the road.
I just read an article in the Times Colonist by Carla Wilson – Going modular to help the homeless, the products are built in Cumberland, the only one of of eight firms being used by the B.C. Government and here on the Island. I don’t know if permanent is on par, time and cost wise to a separate stand alone building. Apparently some women may not feel safe being around any males at any time, but until a female only commune is started, no matter where they go, they are going to have to walk past, be in a store where, be employed beside, men. At least this will be a controlled environment.
The Cairnsmore neighbourhood amenities “a bus stop, store, coffee shop, church, convenience store…close to Cowichan District Hospital.” The first five items will offer little in the way of employment opportunities or inclusion into community, and the CDH is scheduled to move. Far better to be on Warmland House land, walking distance to more social opportunities, employment, and for medical issues, the ambulance station is just around the corner.
The suggestion of a mobile women’s shelter, doesn’t make sense, make it a permanent site. Too hard for those in need, to lug worldly possessions to all over the place, and to track where on what day and time.
My sentiments apply equally to our homeless men and women. Choices good or bad, all have an impact to the direction of your life, only you can change that trajectory.
Karen A. Chaster
North Cowichan
