Editor,
Re: ‘Homelessness really is a community issue’ story, March 29
I’ve worked in both provincial and federal correctional facilities for the past 17 years, which has given me insight into that segment of the population. Until you have an effective strategy to manage mental health and addiction issues, homelessness is and will continue to be a moot point. It’s foolhardy to believe it’s a community issue because it is far beyond anything the community can cope with.
The stark reality is the man running naked down Wallace will continue to run naked down Wallace even if you provide shelter for him. Homelessness is not the issue for that man; it is neglected and ignored mental health that is the real issue – but that is a provincial matter.
I have been told by many inmates over the years that they prefer living on the street (they don’t usually refer to themselves as homeless). It is their preference for the freedom and mobility it gives them, plus the handouts from tourists and the soft-hearted allow them to funnel funds into their addictions without wasting it on shelter.
I agree the problem is multifaceted, but until the federal and provincial governments wake up and make adequate funding recourses available for addiction and mental health treatment, the situation will persist and continue to get worse.
The shelter-deficient population that are seen under the bridges or in the forest are the visible homeless. How many people realize there are homeless living in town that you may not realize are homeless? I know of two seniors that live in their vehicle with their dogs. They hide in plain sight. They shower at the rec center, they spend most of their day at McDonald’s or the library and they sleep in their vehicle – I’ve seen the bedding. I think this is the kind of homelessness that is far more worrisome than the population under the bridge. These two seniors don’t ask for help, they don’t ask for handouts, but they are homeless. How many more are living this way that you don’t know about?
What’s more concerning for me is hearing people around town who are afraid or uncomfortable to walk downtown or through Memorial Park for fear of getting accosted for money by the visible homeless. Law abiding citizens who pay their taxes should never have to avoid a public space because they no longer feel safe. The first impressions of visitors to our town should never be “are we safe here?” This is the real community issue.
It’s not alright for our citizens to be bullied for money by aggressive panhandlers. It’s not alright that our seniors and businesses are intimidated by mental health cases that authorities are either powerless or unmotivated to deal with. I’m sorry, but it’s not alright that the visible homeless population is treated like the victim who is not accountable for their actions – because that’s where it feels we are sliding.
The problem in Hope is getting worse, as is with all other communities. However, in the time that the Thunderbird Motel project has existed things continue to get worse. Why do you think that is?
I believe the answer is simple – the more services you offer – the more you attract from outside our community to utilize those resources. The visible homeless population tends to flock to the easy handouts. That will not change – it’s in their nature. Maybe we should be going in the other direction and eliminate services – I am more or less certain the visible homeless population will disperse to the next town that does offer services. That would be my community approach, my provincial approach would be far different, and a federal approach different still.
As a community our options and funds are limited. Have you ever heard of the concept of “rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic”? Of course, that is a truth many people don’t want to accept. It’s hard to come to terms that you can’t make a person change their ways — they have to want to change.
History tells me that with addiction and mental health being the real problem — shuffle those deck chairs all you like, the outcome will remain the same.
Mark Fuson