Shocking that CVRD cannot find shelter site
Dear CVRD chairman and directors:
We are shocked and puzzled about why our creative leaders and highly paid regional staffers have failed to find a new site for Cowichan’s emergency-weather shelter.
Details appear on page one of the March 21, 2024 Cowichan Citizen.
This conundrum is not new. Homelessness and its tragically attendant social and criminal issues have plagued residents, police, social workers, business people and politicians for decades.
Now our leaders appear to be no further ahead in finding an alternative, or permanent, emergency-weather site — let alone solving the complexities of helping our many unhoused folks.
We strongly suggest CVRD directors order continued, safely managed use of our publicly owned Cowichan Community Centre’s Heritage Hall while continuing their site search.
It boils down to helping homeless folks over hockey fans’ use of our Heritage Hall area.
The CVRD’s idea of requesting provincial help and funding for a permanent cold-weather facility site seems feckless without our local leaders at least recommending a location.
This seemingly desperate ask is reminiscent of Cowichan politicians’ failure in recent years to find a safe-injection site, propelling Victoria to open one along York Road — to residents’ consternation.
Failure is not an option this time.
Yours in public safety and homelessness solutions,
Peter W. Rusland
North Cowichan