Issue of homelessness will not fade away

Re: “Put playground on tent-city site,” editorial, Aug. 20.

Far from the issue of homelessness fading away, tent city stimulated the beginning of significant investment in housing in the region.

More than 1,300 people in the region are homeless, and 200 of these are under 18. They need our care and attention, too. In September, we’ll see the rollout of the historic joint investment of $60 million from the Capital Regional District and the province to address chronic homelessness in the region. And we’ll look for a further match from the federal government, adding another $30 million.

The Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness has been working hard, since the announcement of the joint funding in May, to put together a community plan to ensure the money is spent to serve those in greatest need: youth, aboriginal people and those with mental health and addictions.

For the first time, we’re tackling this issue as a region; I’m deeply grateful to my colleagues across the region for this. And, for the first time in a long time, due in part to the efforts of those who lived at tent city, and in part to the work that happened around the CRD board table, there is real money on the table to address the issue.

My hope is that over the five years of the regional housing-first plan, we can build enough housing so that no one in such a prosperous region as Greater Victoria in such a rich country as Canada needs to sleep in a tent. Mayor Lisa Helps Victoria