After tour of supportive housing, reader realizes their true purpose

Dear Editor,

I just wanted to say how happy I was to hear they are going to be building a new supportive housing at 925 Braidwood Rd.

I know a few people have expressed themselves on the location. This last year I moved to Pidcock Ave. across the street from me, I have Salvation Army shelter directly across from me, next to them is the Comox Valley Recovery Centre, then down at the end of Pidcock is John Howard Centre (the Junction). I have always thought of shelters to be such a horrible place. Laurie (manager) at Pidcock house came and introduced herself to me. She also took me on tour just to see how it's run. They have two large rooms with beds (bunk) one room for women and one for men. They have a laundry room which everyone does their own laundry. Upstairs they have also some rooms just for women and also a room for someone needing medical attention. There are some offices, a huge kitchen which I think they do two meals a day. They have curfew which everyone has to be in by 10 p.m. and I think lights out by 11 p.m.. I really appreciated her showing me this as I guess it put my mind at ease.

I think after the tour at Pidcock House I realized that all these places, if anything, are there to help people. I think the Junction houses app. 45 people. I don't think they are allowed guests in their rooms. They pay monthly rent, feed them, council them give them guidance etc. The new building will have 60 units and 40 shelter beds. I have to admit it will be great to see the warming centre move from Cliffe.