Letter: “I urge the District of Sechelt to approve the new homeless shelter as soon as possible”

Reverend Clarence Li of St. Hilda’s Church has nothing but good things to say about the shelter and its inhabitants

Dear Mayor and Council,

I attended the B.C. Housing Information Meeting on the proposed homeless shelter on August 16 at the Sechelt Activity Centre and was able to see the plans for the first time.  I am writing in support of the District of Sechelt granting a special permit for this shelter at the corner of Trail and Ebbtide Streets.
The Sunshine Coast Homelessness Advisory Committee, of which I have been a member since 2011, has been looking for a suitable location for over three years.  I have come to terms with the fact that there is no perfect location for a homeless shelter.  Having said that, I do support the proposed location for the interim modular shelter because:
  1. It is on the bus route and at a walkable distance from the town;
  2. It is within walking distance to some of the social services;
  3. It has only one immediate residential neighbour, separated by a green barrier, thus minimizing possible impact to other residents;
  4. And, most importantly, it will be managed by RainCity Housing and Support Society.

From my experience at St. Hilda’s Anglican Church, the home of the Sunshine Coast Emergency Homelessness Shelter since 2012, the most important thing is not so much the location of the shelter but how it is being managed.  St. Hilda’s has been very impressed by the way RainCity Housing and Support Society has managed the shelter for the past two years.  In our experience, they have been on top of any issues the Church identified from time to time.  Their staff worked with neighbours who voiced concerns and invited the clients to address them collectively, so they could be part of the solution.  I am confident that the new shelter will be well managed by RainCity as well, not to mention that a 24/7 model will enhance the operation with more professional staff on-site.

I would also like to thank fellow citizen LeeAnn Johnson for alerting the community to some of the fear-inciting signs (see the picture) put up recently beside the bike park on Trail Avenue and around the corner of Ebbtide and Trail.  I find these signs very offensive; their arguments are unsubstantiated by fact.  In St. Hilda’s experience, there has not been a single documented incident where a guest at the shelter posted a threat to a minor during the past five years. To the contrary, I have witnessed how the presence of children (accompanied by their parents and guardians of course) often made a marginalized person let his or her defensive guard down. I have Sunday school kids who have befriended some of the less sociable guests and who kept in contact with their buddies after they found housing. I’m glad that the District of Sechelt has taken the signs down.
I urge the Council members to approve the proposed homeless shelter at their  earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
The Rev. Clarence Li

Concerned Citizen living in Davis Bay and Rector, St. Hilda’s By The Sea Anglican Church, Sechelt