Dear Editor,
The articles posted in the July 24 edition of the Burnaby NOW both make very good points. (Re: Survey probes health of Burnaby’s homeless youth and OUR VIEW: C’mon Burnaby, make the first move.)
ACORN is right that we have to start doing more to work on the homelessness problem, and in particular the problem of reduced low-income housing stock.
The city is also correct that we need as many units as they’re predicting, and that there isn’t as much that they can do about it right now. The city also makes a good point that federal and provincial support is needed to really make an impact on the problem.
With both sides refusing to make the first move, it seems like it is going to be left to the average citizen to force the issue, and thankfully this year we, the people, have all the leverage.
Over the next few months, political candidates and their volunteers will be phoning you and they’ll be knocking on your doors at all hours of the day looking for your support and your vote. Force them to commit to a national housing policy. Tell them with your votes that all the major parties need to make this an issue this election, and make it easy for them. Don’t vote for a party that won’t commit to a housing policy that ensures that cities have the flexibility and support to actually take on the homelessness problem.
Trevor Ritchie, via email
