REHAB IMPROVES CITY

The Editor,

Re: "Recovery home is the size of 'small hospital,'" the News
letters, Sept. 14.

The letter published in the Richmond News on Sept. 14 appears to
support Turning Point's mandate, but it made a number of serious
factual errors about our proposed recovery housing on Ash Street that
require correction.

Likening Turning Point's proposal to a small hospital is a highly
inaccurate comparison. We are proposing to build two 10-bed recovery
residences -- each house will have a maximum of six bedrooms -- and a
transitional housing residence similar in nature to a condominium with
small studio suites for up to 18 individuals.

The residences would fit within the scale and design of the
neighbourhood and blend with existing homes while greatly improving
the site's current facade. Like our house on Odlin Road and our two
homes side by side in Vancouver, traffic would be moderate and would
have minimal impact on the neighbourhood.

Turning Point is B.C.'s leading residential recovery service provider,
with 31 beds for men and women in three houses in Vancouver and
Richmond. We have the experience and expertise to operate the recovery
housing we are proposing on Ash Street.

The positive results of integrating recovery housing into residential
neighbourhoods have been demonstrated in Richmond and throughout the
Lower Mainland. It benefits not only those who are recovering; it
improves the well-being of our community and society as a whole.

Most Richmond residents I speak with agree that our city should
embrace everyone, including our most vulnerable citizens.

Brenda Plant

Executive director

Turning Point