CONTACT CENTRE REZONING SAILS THROUGH

A Health Contact Centre is one step closer to becoming a "one-stop
shop" for housing and health services for Chilliwack's marginalized
and addicted population.

Council voted unanimously in favour of the rezoning Tuesday night,
after more than two hours of public comments on the proposed location
for a new facility at Young and Hocking.

"I want to assure everyone that their voices were heard," said
Chilliwack Mayor Sharon Gaetz after the hearing.

Proponents who showed up to speak outnumbered opponents by a margin of
almost 4:1. However two petitions with more than 200 signatures of
those opposed, were also submitted.

Many who were opposed said they supported the facility in general, but
not in that spot. Several cited fears for their children's safety,
security and concerns about the location and its proximity to schools,
a pub, and a liquor store.

One recovering addict tried to allay those fears by sharing his
experience trying to get sober.

"People drinking and drugging are not going to hang out near a
recovery house," said resident Jake Wood. "I know there is a pub right
across the street. But if you take someone in recovery and hide them
in a box, it doesn't work. The pub is actually part of the solution.
If someone is going to relapse, they are not going to do it in that
area...This is people who want the solution, they don't want be part
of the problem."

But former meth addict Michael Duggus had a different
take.

"I know they are saying (the residents) will have to sign a Good
Neighbour agreement, but I wouldn't have cared and I would have signed
something like that."

He told the crowd he got straight without treatment, moved to
Chilliwack, got a job, a family and a house.

"So in that location, I think it's a terrible idea. What about
property values?"

Mayor Gaetz cited studies that show no depreciation of property values
due to their proximity to contact centres.

"I would like to state my strong support for the health contact centre
and the location," said Coun. Diane Janzen after the hearing. She
helped steer the project and bring the partnership together in her
role as chair of the Mayor's Committee on Health. "I think it will
take a major bite out of crime."

Janzen said when people are on the streets, "they become people they
aren't and do things they wouldn't otherwise do."

The favourable vote by council was described as the culmination of
five years' work by a partnership, including lead proponent Pacific
Community Resources Society, the city, Fraser Health, and more.

RCMP Insp. Grant Wilson expressed the force's support for the project,
stating that prospective clients of the centre "don't belong in jail."

"Police are finding themselves more involved," with people who are
wandering the streets or homeless, "neither of which are illegal," he
underlined.

Increasingly officers need a way to address incidents stemming from
mental health issues or addictions which has nothing to do with jail,
to tying up officers' time at hospitals.

"The contact centre will provide police a with 24-hour location to
take these people" where they could be referred to other agencies, he
said.

The $3-million health contact centre will offer "wrap-around" services
for 34 clients, with supportive and transitional housing, as well as
physical and psychiatric health services with one point of entry.

Proponents at the hearing kept repeating what the contact centre was
"not" in an effort to clear up misconceptions about what it was. It is
"not" going to be a homeless shelter, a detox, or a treatment centre.
Housing is a central part of the program, but it's only one component.

Wayne Massey of Ruth and Naomi's Mission estimated that about 65
people will be "off the streets" thanks to the new contact centre and
the new Ruth and Naomi's facility.

"I think this made-in-Chilliwack model will be such a success it will
go province-wide."

But resident Rob Stewart said Chilliwack is becoming the "wrong" type
of magnet for "East Hastings types."

"I'm concerned a facility like this will attract people from outside
Chilliwack," he said.

But city staffer Karen Stanton stated that their information from
Fraser Health indicated that applicants will come from inside the community.

Coun. Sue Attrill called the centre "a gift" after the
hearing.

"Keep in mind the ones being referred to and seeking help at the
centre are not the ones we have to worry about. This place will be
such a gift to the community.

"Any time you shine a light on a problem or situation, it becomes the
safest, brightest light there is."

The proposed property on Young Road at Hocking Avenue will be rezoned
from tourist commercial to R9, a one-of-a-kind zoning designation for
a supportive housing and health contact centre for the homeless, and
those at risk of becoming homeless.

Caroline McDonald, a local resident and mom who lives near the
proposed centre, who is also a youth outreach worker, took on the
question of "why" the Young Road location was ultimately chosen for
the contact centre.

The real question for her was not why but, "Why not?"

Residents at a future contact centre will be living there because they
want to "change their lives," she said.

McDonald rejected the way some refer to the marginalized as
"them."

"It's not them -- it's our brothers, our sisters, friends and
neighbours. This is our community and we need to start treating them
like they are our community.

The sale of the property on Young Road at Hocking Avenue is almost
complete. Although it's still operating as a Days Inn Motel, once the
subjects are removed it will be rezoned from tourist commercial to R9,
a one-of-a-kind zoning designation for a supportive housing and health
contact centre.