This is how I feel about the current consultations going on in Terwilligar about the transitional housing project that is currently trying to break ground. The Jasper Place Health and Wellness Centre plans to build such a facility next year, on land leased from the Anglican Church.
From what I have read in the news, the facility will house people who have formerly been homeless but are now ready to transition into their own homes. They will pay rent, it will be about 20% less than someone not getting support but they will still be self sufficient. This is not a half way house, it is not a home for the criminally insane, it a basically an apartment like thousands of others in the city.
So why I ask is there a need for a public consultation!? I actually find this discriminatory and insulting. People are asking if "they" will be allowed to drink in their home. Really? Are you allowed to drink in your home or do you need permission from all of your neighbors? Of course alcholism ONLY ever happens to the poor. It NEVER happens in middle class families!? Never!
If I see one more well to do white women talking to the media about how she is so "concerned" that they will be so isolated I will puke. Get off your high horse and be honest about how you really feel. "They" make you uncomfortable. I see these women standing talking to the media with another apartment building in the background and I think...what the hell is the difference?! Many of the folks in that building don't have a car, take the bus, have lower income households. Some may even drink or lord knows what. This project is planning to offer shuttle service to various stores and services. In a well to do building this would be referred to as an "amenity".
And so I ask again, why was there a public consultation for this project? What does it serve? All it does is bring out the ugly prejudice of people and make those who may have already had a hard kick in the ass from life feel even less wanted. Have some freakin compassion people, climb back in your SUV, drive into your attached garage and go into your perfect house. If you ignore them they will ignore you!
I agree 100%.
ReplyDeleteAlberta is full of of the selfish well off douchebags. We aren't interested in helping others in our society. We constantly vote for leaders who take away social programs in favor of lower taxes. Because if we don't need it...we aren't sick or have kids in school or between jobs...then we aren't damn well paying for it.
It makes me angry. We are a SOCIETY. A collective. We should help others when they need it and in turn expect help ourselves when we need it.
It's easy to be in favour of helping people if it doesn't directly affect you. I'm sure that the people who are crying out against this change would have been vocally in favour of such a development if it were somewhere else.
ReplyDeleteBut off topic, the summer blog challenge starts up again tomorrow. Are you interested?
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That is true, I work downtown and homeless people directly effect me every day. I would much rather they get some help and work towards a better life. I would gladly have this building in my middle class St. Albert neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't think I will participate this year. I don't know any of the participants anymore, but thanks for asking.
That's cool. I don't know a bunch of them either. I'm just jazzed to be back in it.
ReplyDelete