Beliefs on homeless are self-perpetuating

Re: “Housing first shouldn’t mean neighbourhoods come second,” comment, Aug. 12.

Stephen Hammond stereotypes poor people as dangerous, threatening, sick and lazy, while holding up those who own land as “hard-working” and “law-abiding.”

Wealth and poverty aren’t from merit, they result from policies and systems that enable some people to take more than they need while depriving others of survival basics.

Beliefs like Hammond’s are selfperpetuating. If you value people who own property, when your wealthy neighbours do things that are annoying you might grumble, but you won’t try to take their housing away. If you are already hostile to poor people, you’ll experience even minor irritations as threats and call the police or suggest banning low-income housing instead of taking constructive steps such as talking with the person about your concerns.

We saw this with Super InTent City and we see it now in how neighbours of Camp Namegans are reacting. Some are riven with fear and anger, others don’t think the camp is a problem. Perceptions and experiences reflect what people bring to the situation.

Yes, government often warehouses poor people in shelters or housing that don’t meet their needs. Homeless people have been pointing that out for years. But that is not the same as saying that neighbourhoods should contain only so many of “those people,” as Hammond suggests.

Everyone needs a safe place to live. We can’t let bias and hate prevent development of inclusive communities where everyone is valued.