The issue of homelessness continues to spring up in Peace River.
Concerned citizens, as well as the group PurpleRung, both addressed Town Council at their latest regular meeting on Monday, November 27, 2017.
Both have said that they’d like to see a coordinated approach to combat this issue.
“The group involved in homelessness is getting wider and wider,” Marc Boychuk, a concerned citizen, told the Trending 55 Newsroom after addressing council after the meeting. “It’s right from teenagers up to seniors now. It’s growing as the economy booms, and housing gets more expensive, making it harder and harder for people to find a place to live.”
A candlelight vigil took place in front of Town Hall on Sunday to remember the community’s homeless. (Photo/Sherry Hilton)
Boychuk adds that the time for action against homelessness is right now.
“I hope to get the town to take leadership on a role to get all the agencies that we can get in town to work together,” he continued. “The reports that I saw show that we need in interagency committee, as well as a collaborative effort to solve this. It can’t just be one group to solve this issue; it has to be the effort of the whole community, right down to its citizens up to the government.”
During his address, Boychuk listed some of the personal experiences he’s had with this issue, including the fact that at one point in his life, his grandfather found himself living on the streets without a roof over his head.
“Homelessness is pretty close to my heart,” said Boychuk. “It’s especially after the personal experiences that I’ve had in my life.”
Right after, several officials from PurpleRung had their turn to address council, where they proposed an amendment to the Land-Use Bylaw to make zoning possible to accommodate homeless solutions.
“There’s various types of solutions,” said PurpleRung’s Brent Taylor. “There’s an emergency shelter, which we recently got. There are also Transitional Shelters, as well as Group Homes. All of these are required, as there is no One Size Fits All. There are lots of different types of homeless, and there’s a wide array of problems each of them face. Without appropriate zoning, we don’t believe we can accomplish anything.”
He adds that he appreciates the turnout they had on Sunday night at a candle-light vigil for the homeless right outside Town Hall.
“This, especially on Grey Cup Day, and with terrible weather outside,” said Taylor. “About 36 people came out that night.”
But at this point, the Town has said that without an amendment to the bylaw, any development permit will be rejected.
“Council has expressed their desire to see a business plan and plan for wraparound social services,” said Greg Towne, Peace River’s Director of Corporate Services. “We are very supportive of the community’s desire to see action taken to help those experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness.
“Behind the scenes,” he continued. “We have been in contact with local and provincial agencies and will be announcing some concrete steps in the New Year.”
Towne confirmed that officials have received correspondence regarding this potential development, both for and against, at this time.
“If the development or zoning gets to a point where there is a public hearing,” he continued. “Residents and businesses will have the opportunity to publicly express their opinions.”
Still, according to Taylor, support for the cause helping homeless people continues to grow.
“With the recent federal housing strategy,” he said. “There’s now $40-billion over ten years, and the plan includes a lot of specific areas of homelessness, and it will trickle down through provinces and into town. Plans include offering government lands to build some public housing.”
– Posted by BET
