Closures of temporary shelters on June 30th – what do YOU think?

Those who know me well, know that (contrary to some people’s beliefs) I’ve advocated many other causes other than just environment. I co-organized an unconference on social media and mental health, I’ve raised funds for charities that provide meals for HIV-afflicted people and for cancer research. But I’ve also been a very strong advocate for a national policy on homelessness and for a compassionate approach to dealing with people who don’t have a home.

Credit: Public16

Credit: Public16

Recently, discussions on whether temporary shelters should close (particularly the one situated underneath the Granville Street bridge – I think that’s the one that people are referring to) have been heated, and some people have indicated that crime rates would go down should these shelters close.

I haven’t seen hard data (not even anecdotal evidence) on whether crime rates are high in the vicinity of homeless shelters. But I’m curious to know what people think? Do you support the Jun 30th closure of shelters? Or should they remain open?

NOTE – Be civil when dropping your comment. I will not hesitate to delete your comment if it’s inappropriate. Remember, I retain all editorial control.

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Related posts:

  1. Mangano on “The Business Case to End Homelessness”, @boardoftrade event
  2. Ideas on Tap June 2009
  3. Upcoming event – Stop Homelessness Public Forum (Vancouver)
  4. Homelessness Action Week 2008 – October 12th to 19th, 2008
  5. Poverty, homelessness and Vancouver covered in snow

June 25th, 2009 in Focus on Vancouver, food for thought, homelessness | tags:

Comments (3)

unclespeedoJune 25th, 2009 at 11:20 am

I would definitely like to learn more about this, are there any resources (biased or not) that someone could refer to, is this something the media is talking about?

Hate to pollute the conversation with ignorance but maybe someone else will stumble here looking for the same details….

Liesa BillingsJune 25th, 2009 at 11:27 am

Hello.

I do have a comment, more of a comment with a question.

If they manage to have this shelter closed as their way of cleaning up crime in that area do you think they’ll continue to close more shelters to clean up crime with the hidden agenda of the Olympics? If so to me they are focusing on the wrong problems. People just don’t go away although I feel that’s what the government thinks will happen.

Also I find this idea to compartmentalize apartments to help people pay mortgage’s by having tenants in a 200 square foot space also has a hidden agenda. Meaning low income housing more so than helping persons pay mortgage’s. I’d be really interested in your views as I respect your insight!

Thanks :D

Liesa Billings’s last blog post..2009 The International Wine Festival

lucJune 25th, 2009 at 11:58 am

What I also find interesting is that the cost of these shelters is $500,000/month, for about 450 people a night, which is more than $1,000/month for each person.
Now, how much does a blogger make?

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