Province unhelpful in homeless situation

We write in response to the letter from the province to the campers at what has become known as the Super InTent City (“Tent-city dwellers unimpressed by B.C.’s suggestion to move on,” Jan. 10).

The province’s letter to the campers was styled as encouragement to “make arrangements for alternate shelter,” but offered no suggestions as to what alternative shelter might be, other than a reference to the new temporary My Place facility at the old Boys and Girls Club.

The province must have known this was already fast approaching maximum capacity. The province’s letter offered no better advice or options than referring to the already overtaxed capacity of local non-profit organizations.

The letter is notable for its lack of government commitment, or even interest, in finding a meaningful and durable solution to the crisis of homelessness. The tone of the letter, with its vague but unsubstantiated reference to health and safety concerns allegedly making the courthouse property unfit for the campers, suggests that government contemplates some form of eviction action.

Clearly, the government’s letter is not in any way helpful in finding a solution to the immediate needs of the people who are homeless and living in the tent city. Nor does it offer any suggestions toward a real solution to the crisis of home- lessness in Victoria and B.C.

Temporary “shelter” is not housing, and charity, while an important stopgap in the absence of adequate governmental response, is not justice. At this point in our history, affordable housing and justice for the poor appear to be in short supply.

We urge the government to work toward finding a durable resolution to the crisis of homelessness and poverty. We need more than incremental and temporary solutions. A well-constructed poverty-reduction strategy is an essential first step for B.C. The fact that we are now the only province without such a plan, and yet are blessed with such abundance for some, is a sad commentary indeed.

We urge the government to join the leadership of the City of Victoria, the leadership of the tent city, the various involved charities and social agencies and the church to work positively to find a local solution to the crisis of homelessness that has necessitated the growth of a tent city.

We urge the government not to succumb to the temptation to push poor people out of public spaces by acting precipitously to dismantle the tent community. To do so would further penalize these people already living on the margins of society. It would have the effect of driving them back into doorways and under bridges.

If the government has genuine concern for the “health and safety” of these people, it could be easily met, given the significant resources of the province and the small size of the tent-city population. Driving them back into the streets would hardly improve their health and safety.

The causes that have led to our present situation of social and economic inequality, poverty and homelessness did not occur overnight, nor will they be solved overnight. However, they will never be solved until government has the clarity of vision to realize that shelters and temporary solutions will not solve the underlying problems, the will to address these issues systemically and with an evidence-based approach and the courage and leadership to commit the resources.

Brian Rendle, Rev. Canon Nancy Ford, Dr. Margo Matwychuk, Gordon Harper, Peggy Wilmot and Archdeacon Alastair McCollum. Social Justice Matters Committee, Anglican Diocese of B.C.