Dear editor,

The rezoning of 925 Braidwood Rd. is quickly coming up by Courtenay city council to allow for supportive housing, a shelter and a warming centre. 

Supportive housing we can accept, but not the shelter and warming centre, for the following reasons: 
1) The shelter location by busy Ryan Road will be dangerous for the homeless seeking access to the shelter and other services.

2) Puddleduck Early Learning Society and Glacier View Secondary Centre for students with special needs, will be vulnerable to marginalized individuals in and around the property.

3) The quality of life for the neighbours of 925 Braidwood would be severely challenged with people on drugs, wandering on private property, yelling, swearing, throwing garbage around as well as petty theft and damage to property.

4) It has been proven that people in supportive housing are much more vulnerable when living in a shared property with a shelter.

5) There are 271 unhoused people to date and rising. The shelter has room for 40 beds, where will the others turn to on any given night - tent city on Braidwood?

6) The businesses close to the property will suffer exactly like those in the downtown core.

7) The new apartments on Ryan Rd with many children will be affected.

8) What services will be available on-site? We have been told that there will be no safe injection facility here. Does that mean people will be walking with their carts back to England Ave?

9) Will BC Housing continue with support or will they leave after the shelter is built?

10) How will moving the Connect Centre to Braidwood Road solve the situation?  It will clean up the downtown to the detriment of all the residents close to 925 Braidwood Rd.; should this be done, without consideration for these law-abiding, tax-paying people?

Please consider these important issues before you make your decision.
 
Paul Locke

925 Braidwood Neighbours Association

Courtenay