Dear Editor,
I do a sort of Block Watch from my balcony, to keep an eye out for any bad behaviour in our back alleyway.
One night recently, when I was out there, I witnessed one of the residents from the supportive housing facility throw a stick against one of our cars.
This is not acceptable behaviour, and I hope that these residents – who are receiving free housing, free food, etc. at the expense of the taxpayers – are aware of this.
Are they getting the appropriate counselling that they are needing? This is my concern about these facilities in our communities.
I do support the supportive housing facility on Fraser Street, which is half a block from where I live.
I realize that these individuals need this type of help to better their lives and become more productive citizens in our communities.
My only concern is that they’re getting the supports that they need.
And, why isn’t the neighbourhood getting regular updates on how things are going? We the taxpayers are paying for this, so why aren’t we being updated as to their effectiveness and successes?
Are they working to make these individuals better and more productive citizens? Is that too much to ask?
What are the outcomes of these community supportive housing efforts? Are they working as expected?
Please let us know and keep us informed and updated on this very important issue of treating these individuals with mental and addiction health issues.
John E. McKenzie, Maple Ridge