The holiday season is a time of generosity and community spirit. In newspapers there are “feel-good stories” and the month of December is always full of them. Community and church volunteers are working overtime so those in need are taken care of. Holidays are about the community coming together and helping each other in a spirit of giving that is within us all year round.
This is why a recent public meeting regarding a pilot housing program at the Olive Devaud Residence was so disheartening, but also heartening at the same time.
Sunset Homes Society vice-president CaroleAnn Leishman began the meeting by deflecting the frustration and anger of some residents who live near the society-owned building. A pilot program will provide temporary affordable housing for six people beginning in January, much to the chagrin of some neighbours.
A number of those in attendance were upset they weren’t consulted before the project was announced, others were also worried about how the housing pilot might affect their neighbourhood or possibly even their property values.
Leishman did an admirable job of explaining the project’s goal, and reassuring neighbours the project would not negatively impact the area. Meanwhile, Housing Hope program administrator and housing advocate Kathleen O’Neil was able to relate the seriousness of Powell River’s housing shortage and the community’s problems with poverty.
Then came the heartening part. Representatives from local churches that have been helping those in poverty for years stood up and explained how necessary a project such as this one was. They noted how the housing and poverty problems in Powell River are the worst they have seen in 25 years. They reinforced that all everyone wants is a place to live and food to eat.
With that, the tone of the room changed. Now the thought of providing six people a temporary place to live was more important than how a housing project in the area might affect the neighbourhood.
Sometimes we all need to be reminded by others of our humanity; our basic instinct to help others. Kudos to those who are working hard to fight problems with housing and poverty. They will be the first to tell us that six rooms in Olive Devaud is just the beginning.
