CITY NOT LISTENING, SAY DUNBAR RESIDENTS

A potential housing facility at 16th Avenue and Dunbar for people with drug
and alcohol addiction is being taken by local residents as further proof
they are being ignored by city hall.

The property, on the southeast corner, extending from 16th to 17th avenues
and from Dunbar east down to 16th Avenue, was purchased by the city for
supportive social housing.

According to the Dunbar Residents' Association, which met with the city
last month, the site would provide 32,000 square feet of development with
retail space on the ground floor and housing units above. It would be
managed by a non-profit society and could cater to addicts who've been dry
for 60 days.

The proposed centre hinges on obtaining money from the federal and
provincial governments, but Mike Andruff, president of the Dunbar
Residents' Association, said the proposal is being considered without
residents' input. He said the community would rather the space be used for
housing for local seniors, many of whom must move to south Surrey to find
affordable accommodation.

Andruff said the association tried to meet with city staff months ago to
outline its position on social housing in the community but was rebuffed.

Then, on Oct. 4, Rob Whitlock, a senior housing officer with the city's
housing centre, met with the association. According to Andruff, he outlined
the city's proposal to use the property to house recovering addicts.

But Whitlock said the site was purchased to create supportive social
housing, and housing for people with addictions is just one of the
possibilities for its use. The city is working with Vancouver Coastal
Health on a citywide supported housing plan, and the recommended use of the
site will stem from that plan.

Once the recommendation is made, city council will decide whether the
facility will house people with mental health problems or addictions,
seniors or families, he said, adding housing for seniors "hasn't been ruled
out."

Andruff isn't pleased with the city's process.

"The central issue for us is that city hall and the way the bylaws are
administered takes absolutely no feedback from the community," Andruff
said. "We are completely stymied in every turn that we take for land use
that affects our neighbourhood. City hall just runs its merry way and we
feel powerless."

Another fight the residents have with city hall revolves around orphan
lots-oversized lots that can be subdivided in half for development. There
are about 12 such properties in Dunbar, according to Andruff.

"Isn't there a fundamental right for a community to be able to express how
they want their community to look?" he said. "It goes back to a recurring
theme. Whether it be for social housing or orphan lots, why can't we have a
voice here?"

The group is hosting a meeting at its annual general meeting, Nov. 7, at
7:30 p.m. at St. Phillips Church, 3737 West 27th Ave. Civic election
candidates have been invited to outline their positions on residents' concerns.

- -With files from Cheryl Rossi