Editor:
An open letter to Mayor Mike Hurley:
Learning of the tragedy in our neighbourhood compels me to write to you, to suggest one possible piece of the solution to the homelessness and mental health crisis facing our city, and the rest of the province.
Passing by the Willingdon overpass regularly, I notice that a large areas of land in the northwest, northeast and southeast corners under the overpass remain vacant and unused, as they have since Highway 1 was first constructed. This land has very little, if any, commercial or residential value, due to the limited road access. It is also far enough from residential properties as to have little impact on the neighbouring residents.
Could this unused land be put to use as a location for transitional housing for the homeless? Modular container-based dwellings could provide clean and safe accommodation for the homeless and mentally ill, with adjacent support buildings offering medical care and rehabilitation.
I am aware this land may be owned by the province or federal government, but they would hopefully cooperate with such a plan to respond to this urgent need.
Even as a temporary or pilot program, or possibly constructed in another suitable location, all levels of government need to come together to respond to this need and to take the necessary steps to ensure there is no repeat of the tragic events of today.
Paul Anderson, Burnaby
