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Photo courtesy City of Richmond
Collaboration essential for housing those at risk
Published 12:35 PST, Fri December 22, 2023
In their own words…
Like many cities across Canada, Richmond is dealing with a housing crisis due to affordability, rental costs and economic pressures. For many, this means a higher than acceptable part of their income is going to the cost of keeping a roof over their head.
For others, it can lead to an even greater problem – homelessness.
Richmond, like other municipalities, is seeing an increase in the number of individuals lacking permanent shelter. There are many reasons behind this rise and it can affect anyone. Without a stable place to call home, people seek refuge in vehicles, under bridges, in industrial areas or in parks.
Nobody chooses to be homeless, and the City is committed to working in partnership with senior levels of government and the private and non-profit sectors to help meet the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness in Richmond.
In 2019, Council launched the 10-year Richmond Homelessness Strategy to guide the City and community in ways to work together to support those without permanent shelter. It outlines several strategies and actions aimed at providing a continuum of housing and services for those in need. I urge everyone to read this to gain a better understanding of the realities and challenges of this issue.
The provincial government recently amended the Community Charter to mandate that municipalities must offer indoor shelters equipped with essential amenities like meals, showers, and laundry facilities.
Richmond, through foresight and long-term commitment, did not need such a mandate. Working with our partners, we already have a drop-in centre and emergency and extreme weather shelters in place and have worked to increase access for those in need.
I am sometimes asked why we do not simply remove people from their tents or other makeshift shelters and send them somewhere else. Because whatever their circumstances, whatever their situation, these are people. People in need. People who deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.
It is crucial to understand that homelessness is not a problem municipal governments can solve alone. The federal and provincial governments have a shared responsibility to provide sufficient affordable housing options, but they have neglected their responsibility for decades, leading to the current crisis. They have simply pushed the issue to local governments to address.
Richmond’s housing crisis demands immediate attention and action. While the City has taken commendable steps, the underlying issue of affordable housing requires a collaborative effort from all levels of government. By working together and allocating the necessary resources, we can strive to achieve a future where homelessness is eradicated, and everyone has a safe and secure place to call home. The home they want. The home they deserve.
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