Homeless need vocal support

I’ve watched the video that claims 600 seniors are living in fear of the Agassiz Road supportive housing project. What about another clip that declares elderly women are so frightened of the project, they’re already putting chairs under their doorknobs at night to stay safe?

That’s simply groundless and irrational, isn’t it? The project isn’t even approved yet, let alone built and occupied. There’s no one on the other side of the door but the phantoms.

Factually speaking, there are at least five other harm-reduction supportive housing facilities currently operating in Kelowna, and none of them have resulted in increased crime rates, decreased property values, or doorknob-shaking in the middle of the night.

The most recently opened, Hearthstone, also faced vocal opposition, but has been described by nearby businesses as a “good neighbour” with “nice” residents since it became operational.

Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran says he’s advised his colleagues to make a decision based on their belief of what will be best for the community as a whole. That should be easy.

From a policy perspective, the Official Community Plan, the Imagine Kelowna plan, the Healthy Housing Strategy and the Journey Home Strategy support healthy, inclusive communities. Those policies also support the creation of affordable and safe housing for all members of the community, and an end to homelessness.

From a moral perspective, everyone deserves a home. The Journey Home Strategy underscores the need “for everyone to do their part” in making this happen, including all levels of government, non-profit providers and Kelowna’s