NEIGHBOURS FIGHT HOUSING FOR EX-ADDICTS

Surrey: Critic Says $ -Million Newton Project 'Won't Work'

A $20-million social-housing proposal called Welcome Home is
receiving a decidedly unwelcome reception in Surrey.

The project is the brainchild of one-time United Furniture Warehouse
owner John Volken, who sold the chain of stores three years ago.

Now into social causes in a big way, Volken has set up a charitable
foundation to help people in crisis.

Spokesman Bil Koonar said the 72-unit project would provide
much-needed places to live and work after addicts have cleaned up.

"People are detoxed seven to 10 times by the time they're 30," he
said. "They are released with no jobs or life skills. They're dry,
but they have nowhere to go. It doesn't work."

The Welcome Home program, adopted from San Francisco, emphasizes
physical activity, work skills and isolation from bad influences.

There would be basketball or ping-pong and private gardens, but

freedom to leave the property would be restricted.

"An addict's worst friend is spare time," said Koonar. "They are
always busy, 24/7, except when they are sleeping."

The program minimizes family contact because a remark from an ex-wife
- -- "You're a jerk" -- can ruin an addict's belief in his recovery.

"Most of the family bridges have been burned anyways," said Koonar.

The residents would be required to work at Welcome Home's non-profit
store, selling clothing, food and furniture.

They would not be paid, but receive free food, clothing,
accommodation and spending money.

"These are not people who are usually going to get hired. Our goal is
to make them good taxpayers. We're doing more to clean up the
neighbourhood than make it worse."

The facility would be open to men and women.

Opponent Liz Walker has already seen enough well-intentioned social
projects, such as the $5-million federally funded Hyland House. It
moved in three years ago with 35 beds and 20 transitional units.

"Welcome Home would be expanding social problems to a bigger area of
Surrey," said Walker, a mother of three.

"The community is being flooded with social housing."

Neighbourhood incidents since Hyland's inception include prostitution
and condoms in alleys, theft and drug deals.

Walker's research shows that efforts to stop addiction result in a
failure rate as high as 90 per cent.

"Welcome Home will treat drug addicts as well as people coming out of
the criminal-justice system," said Walker. "Most of the time it won't work.

"We don't need that kind of people in a vulnerable family neighbourhood."

Walker, who led the movement against Hyland with a 600-name petition,
claimed Hyland doesn't care what happens off its property.

Coun. Judy Villeneuve said Hyland is working well with its neighbours.

"I don't know if any problems can be blamed on Hyland," said
Villeneuve, chairwoman of the city's social planning committee.

She said there is a massive need for more social housing.

"Surrey does not have enough services," she said.

The Welcome Home Society says the 72 units would be high-end condos
in three triple-storey buildings on vacant land at 6861 King George
Highway in Newton. The development would include recreational space.

A retail store already in operation next door would double in size.

Walker's group will meet with Mayor Dianne Watts on Oct. 24. Welcome
Home is holding an open house at 6925 King George on Oct. 30.

The rezoning application is expected to come to council in December.