YOUR LETTERS Solution for homelessness
The homeless situation seems to grow worse and worse in Prince George and surrounding areas. Yet on our doorstep is an abandoned facility that seems to hold a lot of promise as a solution.
The old Connaught Motor Inn sits on the corner of Victoria and Patricia, a busy intersection somewhat isolated from other residential areas. In latter years, the motel was allowed to fall into a sorry state with maintenance left undone and lower rates attracting criminal elements as occupants. Finally, after police calls to the motel reached new records, the city closed the facility.
Aside from scads of rooms, each equipped with a washroom, for those in need, the facility has an old office complex that might serve for management, a nursing station, and perhaps a safe injection site. Another building, having been a restaurant and convenience store at various times, could serve as a commissary or coffee shop. Certainly there is adequate parking and with encouragement of the type offered at Baldy Hughes, residents could be encouraged to assist with landscaping. With the large number of units spread out over the site, certain areas could be set aside for specific needs and some areas now covered with asphalt reclaimed as conversation pits or other community uses. It is close to the hospital, pharmacies and the downtown non-profits.
Denver, Salt Lake City and other cities in the U.S. and Canada have adopted housing first approaches to homelessness, all having obtained substantial savings after the new programs were put in place. Housing goes with decent care and better standards of health and lower policing and other expenses.
One alternative is to wait for some buyer to come along prepared to renovate the old structures and make it once again a decent choice for travellers. Changes in Prince George have made this less than ideal. Or tear the whole thing down and use the site for the hovering arts centre or other municipal project.
Leaving it as it is not a valid option.
Willow Arune, Prince George