RECOVERY HOME SET TO OPEN DESPITE NEIGHBOURS' PROTESTS

Turning Point Recovery Society is making a second attempt to open an
addictions recovery house after neighbourhood opposition forced it to
abandon plans on Ash Street.

The city has granted an 18-month lease to Turning Point for a women's
support recovery centre in a single-family home at 10191 No. 2 Rd.,
near London-Steveston Secondary. The facility will house up to 10
women and does not require public rezoning approval.

Kritesh Dewan has lived across from the Steveston home since 1999, and
said the process hasn't been transparent, noting few residents in the
area were notified of Turning Point's expected presence.

"It seems to me the city is not thinking of the best interests of the
neighbourhood," he said.

Dewan said his neighbours have collected between 100 and 200
signatures opposing the recovery home, noting there are fears of crime
and declining property values.

He said city officials haven't communicated what potential impacts the
recovery home could have on the neighbourhood.

"Without them being able to answer simple basic questions, why is this
being approved?"

City spokesperson Ted Townsend said 30 households were informed and
invited to a meeting, where residents were provided information and a
chance to offer opinions that have since been forwarded to city
council and the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, which is the
licensing authority.

Townsend said fear is typical in neighbourhoods slated for a recovery
home, but noted history has shown that crime and dropping property
values don't materialize.

"The reality is those fears are unfounded. These types of facilities
don't create problems in neighbourhoods," he said.

Townsend said there is a need for the facility in Richmond, which has
substance abuse problems as any other city does, and the proposed
recovery centre helps Richmond fulfill its objective of providing a
complete continuum of care.

"They're most effective when they're in the community and people are
able to receive the treatment that they need within their own
community," he said.

The city bought the 22-year-old house in 2009 for $690,000, and spent
$33,000 on repair and closing costs. Turning Point will pay the city
$2,200 per month under the lease agreement.

In 2007, Turning Point proposed a 40-bed recovery centre-later
downsized to 32 beds-at 8180 Ash St. before the neighbourhood
vociferously fought to quash it. As many as 17,000 names were
collected for a petition against that project.

Turning Point currently operates a nine-bed addictions recovery home
for men on Odlin Road.

Group homes with up to six beds don't require rezoning or
neighbourhood notification, according to city rules developed by a
task force a decade ago. Proposals for seven to 10 beds also don't
require rezoning, but city officials are required to notify neighbours
within a five-house radius. A facility over 10 beds requires rezoning
with a full public hearing process.

Richmond has approximately 30 group homes, including Horizon House, a
group home for people with mental illness that opened in 2008.