B.C. gov’t sidesteps Maple Ridge on decision, spot of housing facility

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Town of Maple Ridge has typically argued with the BC NDP authorities over the previous few years over the best way to deal with homelessness.

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Gordon Hoekstra At Anita's Place homeless camp in Maple Ridge in 2018. At Anita’s Place homeless camp in Maple Ridge in 2018. Photograph by Francis Georgian /PNG

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A unilateral resolution by the British Columbia authorities to construct a supportive housing facility in Maple Ridge ends in a metropolis council questioning the method however welcoming the mission if, as promised, it helps residents break their habit recuperate.

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Town of Maple Ridge has typically argued with the BC NDP authorities in recent times about the best way to deal with homelessness and assist individuals recuperate from addictions within the metropolis of 82,000.

When the provincial authorities introduced its resolution to construct a 52-unit housing property late Friday, it discovered that the province, BC Housing, and the town couldn’t discover a mutually acceptable location.

The province mentioned that given the necessity to substitute short-term housing models at a close-by location on Royal Crescent, the mission could be accelerated straight to development below authorized oversight.

Maple Ridge Metropolis Council. Ahmed Yousef mentioned he was unsure how or why the province made the choice to maneuver the mission ahead with out the involvement of the town. Unaware that the province was making the choice, he mentioned that this may increasingly have been their means of doing issues reasonably than going by the town purple tape.

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Yousef mentioned if the mission goes as urged, the place there will probably be assist and rehabilitation for the residents of the brand new flats and it additionally results in new flats for seniors within the previous location, he cannot see why anybody would object would.

“That sounds good … I like what I learn,” mentioned Yousef after inspecting the UK authorities’s publication on the mission.

In a written assertion Saturday, Maple Ridge Mayor Mike Morden mentioned the timing of the announcement was “very surprising” and famous that he, BC Housing Legal professional Normal David Eby, and different native MLAs had been collaborating needed to do what to do for supportive dwelling within the metropolis.

He mentioned he had many questions however reserved additional feedback till the council had an opportunity to satisfy on Tuesday.

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The mission, which is being constructed on tons on Fraser Road and 224th Road south of downtown Maple Ridge, has no price ticket. The brand new facility with 52 models is scheduled to be accomplished by summer season 2022 and can substitute short-term modular models on the Royal Crescent web site lower than three blocks away. The 53 short-term models in Royal Crescent had been constructed to accommodate the homeless, together with from a camp known as Anita Place, which closed in 2019.

Up to now, Maple Ridge has argued with the provincial authorities over housing for the homeless. Greater than 10,000 residents signed a petition in 2019 in opposition to a provincial housing mission for the homeless. And the town introduced a profitable decision on the Congress of the Union of BC Municipalities calling on the province to respect municipal autonomy.

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Morden mentioned in 2019 that addicts would “rape and loot” within the metropolis.

On Friday, Eby mentioned the brand new 52-unit facility was in response to an pressing want to shut the short-term modular housing in Royal Crescent. He mentioned there was a necessity “to maneuver these residents to a extra secure atmosphere to proceed their restoration path and pave the best way for senior housing in Royal Crescent in order that extra Maple Ridge seniors have a protected and inexpensive place to dwell can name “.

The province mentioned the mission would assist preserve residents and the neighborhood protected, together with with employees on web site across the clock.

In response to BC Housing, the Coast Psychological Well being nonprofit group will handle the housing mission and supply providers reminiscent of a meal plan, life abilities coaching, employment abilities coaching, and entry to on-site scientific and well being assist.

In one other case earlier this 12 months, the British Columbia authorities overruled the Penticton Metropolis Council’s needs to maintain a homeless shelter open. The Metropolis of Penticton is difficult the provincial powers in a lawsuit within the BC Supreme Courtroom.

ghoekstra@postmedia.com

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