View From the Homeless Streets

RE: Jay Teichroeb's comments, Saturday February 25, 2006

I you wonder why nothing is being accomplished in helping the homeless get off the streets, find homes and work OR why I get so frustrated with the pointless waste of taxpayers money to "not accomplish anything" I bring to your attention the words of Mr. Teichroeb, the city's 'spin doctor': "...issue a 48-hour notice. That notice requires the person to vacate the area within two days". I draw to Mr. Teichroeb'attention my words "... people have nowhere else to go". Perhaps Mr. Teichroeb would care to explain to me, to the homeless and ro the public what good giving a warning does for people who are where they are because they have "nowhere else to go". And again Mr. Teichroeb "If that person does not move". They are homeless, where are they suppose to move?

One must admire the 'spin' and use of euphemism in Mr. Teichroeb's explanation of the city's actions as "clean up the site". "Clean up", confiscate, steal the words may change the results are the same. To deprive the people whose belongings were "cleaned up" by the city of shelter and bedding at a time when temperatures were falling, putting their health and perhaps their lives at risk. To me totally irresponsible and unacceptable behaviour.

Oh! Excuse me. I forgot all about the 'resource pamphlet'. I would comment on the pamphlet but in asking about the claimed pamphlet among those I know who have been victims of city "clean ups" all I received were puzzled looks and denials of ever have seen or heard of the claimed pamphlet. If someone would care to e-mail or forward me a copy of said purported pamphlet I would be only to happy to review it and comment on the 'alleged assistance'. ( I will save any comments on my experiences with 'alleged assistance' for the pamphlet review - to avoid this letter becoming a novel.)

I challenge Mr. Teichroeb to gain a little expertise in this area by living on the $510 per month, which is the amount one gets on social assistance. If he finds he cannot jump over all the barriers social services raise, find shelter (cannot find a place for $325 in Abbotsford? then you get $0; no shelter=no shelter allowance) and live (you get, in theory, $185 for personal expenses [food, laundry, personal hygiene, transportation etc.] this month - but no shelter = $0 next month), I would be glad to help him adjust to life jon the street as a homeless person. Of course he can make full use of the 'resource pamphlet' in searching for help ton get off the streets.

Just for 3 months. Perhaps the News would be willing to act as judge/referee in this matter - perhaps even giving people a weekly report on how Mr. Teichroeb is progressing (surviving?). Giving the public an opportunity for an unique view of life on the streets of their city. Then Mr. Teichroeb: you, I the public and your bosses can have a very interesting conversation. Hopefully leading to new and sensible policies that actually accomplish something.

A sharp eyed reader caught the fact that there was an error in the paper of the website address it should be only homelessin abbotsford, not homeless(ness)inabbotsford as printed. Not only did this sharp gentleman catch the error but he took action to ensure that those going to the wrong address would be redirected to the correct blog page. So Mr. Peter Hunter, my heartfelt thanks.

A man who uses the worldwide web to draw attention to the plight of Abbotsford’s homeless has slammed the city for “stealing” the personal belongings of some of the men and women who live on the streets. James Breckenridge, who is himself homeless, is accusing city crews of “throwing property into the garbage” following an incident late last week. In the city’s defence, spokesman Jay Teichroeb has said that would not happen without prior warning. Breckenridge has been joined by others in criticizing the city for “confiscating” the tents and belongings of approximately five homeless people. He is adamant in his claims, and said he fails to see what is being achieved by such actions. “You have just rendered them a little more homeless, but you haven’t done anything to solve the problem,” he blasted. “People have nowhere else to go and that’s what really aggravates me. By taking these actions, the city has not accomplished anything.” While Teichroeb said he couldn’t speak specifically on what Breckenridge and others are alleging, he pointed out the city does have a policy in place.He said that if city hall receives a complaint about a “camp of some kind” – whether that complaint be based around trespassing, vandalism or theft – city bylaw officials will attend the scene. Teichroeb said the city representatives will then give those at the centre of a complaint a “resource pamphlet” informing them where they can receive assistance, and also issue a 48-hour notice. That notice, he explained, requires the person to vacate the area within two days. If that person does not move, he said the city could then return and “clean up” the site. “It is not part of the city’s practice that they would come unannounced and confiscate personal belongings without advanced warning,” he said. “Typically, our guys aren’t out there looking to be disruptive with these people.” Breckenridge is the author of an internet blog – at www.geocities.com/homelessnessinabbotsford – which addresses Abbotsford homeless issues. He estimates there are currently between 500 and 800 homeless people living in the city. Breckenridge said he was rendered homeless a year ago, and now lives in his car. Prior to that, he said he had a home for more than 50 years. Traditionally, funding for homelessness is provided by the provincial and federal governments rather than municipalities. However, if that money is not forthcoming, Breckenridge – who accesses library computers to update his homeless website – said the city should step forward.“They (the city) have been encouraging people to cut down the brush, but all you are doing is taking people out of the brush and moving them onto the street. All they can do is move down the block,” he said. “If you do not have programs to get them off the street, you are just going to push them around the city.” Breckenridge believes the goal of the city is simple, and points to a “clean-up” he said has already taken place in downtown Abbotsford which has pushed the homeless out. “I think the city would like them to leave but I do not think they are being realistic. They have nowhere to go,” he said.Sumas Way, so those merchants get nailed, or they move to Clearbrook Road.” Breckenridge said “it would not be wrong” to say a fair portion of homeless people have drug problems. However, while he said that some homeless people make a choice not to work, he added many – including himself – are in a group that wants to get their lives back on track. “It gets tough. The public looks at the homeless and sees drug addicts and alcoholics and lumps them all together as ‘we don’t want to work.’ The truth is that there are a whole series of groups with different needs,” he said. “The city and the province needs to start assisting.” To help address the homeless situation locally, Breckenridge said he would like to see some coordination between churches.He also said it would be nice if homeless people could access information telling them where services are available, and also facilities where they could have a shower and do their laundry. That, he said, would assist many of the homeless people looking for jobs.“A lot of people are willing to work but they are just not the most presentable people in the world,” he said. “We also need some place where people are able to get off the street, and we need to get them off when they want to come off. “A significant number of homeless people have mental problems. They have mental challenges and there are no services to address that.” Breckenridge said the city could provide a service that would allow phone messages to be left for an individual. That, he said, would also assist in the job-seeking process. “You try getting a job without a phone number,” he added.

The Mayor should resign. OR the city manager and any other city bureaucrats responsible for these actions should be fired and replaced with people having common sense and compassion. It is one thing to harass the Homeless to the point of persecuting them, it is totally unacceptable to take actions that put their lives at risk. On Thursday February 16, 2006 the city began to steal the tents, bedding, clothing and other possessions of the Homeless - throwing the property of the Homeless into the garbage. In a despicable act they hired people in recovery at Kinghaven to perform the theft under the watchful eyes of city workers. They left the Homeless nothing. Nothing to survive the clear, wind, sub-zero temperature nights with. Uncaring that that their actions in this weather put the health and lives of the Homeless at risk. And Please, the reason so many Homeless are in tents is that the available shelter beds can hold no more than a few percent of the city's Homeless. Those interested can find information on the reality of the Homeless in Abbotsford at www.geocities.com/homelessinabbotsford.

The city just left these people, these citizens there, exposed to the freezing winds and facing a night of sub-zero temperatures. Ignoring the fact that in having rendered the Homeless even more Homeless they had a moral obligation to find them shelter for at least that night. In a true twist of IRONY one of these Homeless became Homeless last summer because of the actions of the city government and its denial of any responsibility for the consequences of its actions. Over half of the people thrown onto the streets by the city's actions at the Fraser Valley Inn are still Homeless - unable to find other living quarters for a price they can pay. But here to the city ignored the consequences of its actions and denied any responsibility for helping these people find other lodgings.

Barely into the new year of 2006 and the city once again is ignoring the consequences of its actions, denying any responsibility. It is our city government. If it will behave responsibly then the citizens must force it to behave responsibility. Or accept our complicity and responsibility for the actions taken in our names. I myself cannot accept such such contemptible behaviour which is why I say: Resignations or Firings.

It is hard to believe but the actions of the city just get worse and worse: stupider and lacking in any consideration for people or consequences. Their actions in regards to the residents of the Fraser Valley Inn deserve only contempt.

As I write this (Saturday July 16, 2005, afternoon) I have no clear understanding of exactly what is happening or will happen with the residents of the Fraser Valley Inn. And anyone who reads the Friday Times story (July15) and then the Saturday News NO story (July 16) can only be as confused as I and the residents of the Inn are. I spoke to several of the residents earlier today (Saturday) and all they know is that apparently the are being tossed out into the streets (evicted is to kind a word for the way they are being treated) this weekend.

I am not about to argue that something does not need to be done about the Inn – it clearly does. And if the city needs to use health provisions to get action, fine. Going after the owners is an excellent idea. But their actions in dealing with the residents are unacceptable, even indefensible. No matter the label you apply to the residents of the Inn ( the Times “low-income” in many ways the kindest; a local restaurant owner quoted in the Times calling the Inn a brothel, which would label the residents ******, a comment I will not dignify by actually spelling out said label), they are residents of Abbotsford. Our fellow citizens who deserve to be treated with consideration.

But instead of making a clear statement on the situation spokespeople duck the issue and the Mayor refuses comment to the Times. Failing the duty of care owed to these citizens. Much more important is the fact that it is clear that it is the actions of the city that are causing the residents of the Inn to need to relocate. But rather than accept responsibility for its actions and deal with the consequences of the course the city is following, they deny responsibility and bury their head in the sand. As for the residents being rendered homeless….. why, there is no homelessness problem in Abbotsford – just ask the city, council or the mayor.

So what do I think is owed? Consideration. The city should have been up front and clear what was occurring. Or, if the city did not know what was happening, found out and told those affected. Acceptance of the consequences for its actions. Residents pay rent at the beginning of the month and it appears they will lose half a months rent, a financial catastrophe for them. They are owed compensation. The city can then go after the owners for reimbursement. They are due aid in dealing with any problems that arise with the Social Assistance bureaucracy from this mandated move. They are truly due the city finding them new housing. Perhaps being required to find housing will serve to drive home to city hall, council and the mayor how their actions on low-cost and subsidized housing have made it all but impossible for those who fall on hard times to find a safe, clean affordable place to live while they get back on their feet and move back into "mainstream” society. This is the very minimum the city owes its ( and our fellow) citizens,

Consideration of the consequences of its actions, acceptance of responsibility for the consequences of its actions and doing what is needed to remedy those consequences. This city administration? This council? This Mayor? The chance of this happening brings to mind the expression “A snowballs chance in Hell”.

It seems clear that we need to replace the mayor, council and senior city staff with people of character, some brains, thoughtfulness, compassion and an eye for where the city should be heading into the future. Then we can begin to into a grand city and superb community to live in. Rather than the laughing stock of the Fraser Valley it has become.

Post Script: I came across this, originally a letter to the editor. The update is that the majority of the residents of the Fraser Valley Inn were unable to find other accommodations. They are currently homeless and denied any welfare on the grounds that being homeless prevents them from job searching (as noted homelessness did not prevent me from finding gainful employment) so that even the $185 is denied them. The final Paragraph, in light of the actions the city is currently taking to cleanse Abbotsford of the homeless is even truer today.

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
Edmund Burke

I am glad to have discovered serenity before this last week happened or I would either be beating my head against a wall or screaming “Why ME!” at the top of my lungs. I went to bed last Thursday in excellent health and employed. A week and a day later, as I type this, I sit here unemployed, a surgical hole with a tube draining gunk out of me, spending about 5 hours a day at the hospital for twice a day IV antibiotic treatment visits and with my life seeming to have once more come off the rails – just at the point things were looking up. It turned out the light at the end of the tunnel was a freight train about to run me over.

In finding serenity in all the craziness around me, I had taken a little point of peacefulness into myself. So as my week when down hill I could use this quiet spot to deal with what was happening. Serenity does not mean everything is wonderful and calm. It just means that when it all goes crazy I do not have to be crazy in my reactions and/or how I deal with what is going on. I was able to remain calm and just deal with things as they came up instead of being overwhelmed and not able to handle things. It even has allowed me to retain my sense of humour, take things with a grain of salt and get a laugh out of some of the absurdity of my week. That sense of calm also was instrumental in my avoiding falling into the ‘poor me’s’ or the ‘pity pot’. It is far to easy to spend lots of time feeling sorry for yourself, but that will not deal with the situation. So even though the week was terrible, the way I dealt with what was happening was good.

So I have begun a job search, been getting all the medical ills cleaned up and gotten in some extra reading and a lot of extra sleep. These actions because I remained peaceful as things around me (my life and plans) when crazy. So while it was a terrible week, rather than being mired in problems and self-pity, I am poised and in position for a good week by my choices. Of course I will not hesitate to play the ‘pity me’ card if it will get me a job. Hee-hee. I would rather make wine than sour-grape jelly.