A growing group of businesses from Riverside Industrial Park in southeast Richmond is petitioning against a planned 36-bed homeless shelter to be operated by the Salvation Army.
Ying Wang, owner of Wayland Sports, a gymnastics and swimming facility for children, says he is frightened to think about problems that may arise with his new neighbours.
“There are many kids here,” said Wang.
Business owners claim the city failed to consult them on the shelter.
“As a taxpayer, I’m disappointed about the lack of consultation. For the last 10 years we’ve been good taxpayers. For them to pull this on us is disheartening. There’s more and more homeless, I understand that; we’re not against a homeless shelter, but tripling the size of it without any public consultation is very frustrating,” said Rob Reeleder, owner of nearby Western Protection Alliance.
Earlier this month, after receiving an eviction notice (land sale), the Salvation Army announced, in conjunction with the City of Richmond and BC Housing, that its 10-bed shelter — Richmond House, a single-family home — on Shell Road would soon be moved to 12040 Horseshoe Way, south of Ironwood Plaza.
City spokesperson Ted Townsend said, via email, “the Salvation Army will set up security cameras, and the site will be staffed 24/7. Further, there will be daily custodian services to clean around the site/perimeter. The Salvation Army has offered to monitor businesses in the immediate vicinity and clean up if necessary.”
No consultation was actually required for the building permit due to the site’s zoning, however, Salvation Army staff aim to engage local businesses and is willing to “start a community advisory committee as a forum to address concerns if there is interest from local businesses/residents,” Townsend added.
Shelter manager Major Kathie Chiu said the existing shelter has never had any major complaints and there are no crime issues.
“We’re hoping to meet with neighbours to dispel any fears,” said Chiu, who will draft a Good Neighbour Policy.
“It’s been my experience that some homeless people are experiencing mental illness; they can be scary sometimes, but generally speaking, the people in our shelter are there based on a criteria of behaviour,” said Chiu, noting many clients are working and trying to find an affordable place to live.
“Most Canadians understand we need these services but no one wants them in their neighbourhood,” she said.
Regardless, Reeleder wonders why the city decided to go ahead with the shelter and then consult businesses after — the public will be further informed of the move at an information session on Thursday, from 3-7 p.m., at Richmond Public Library Ironwood Branch.
Reeleder said he called city hall and spoke to Mayor Malcolm Brodie last week but was not satisfied with Brodie’s understanding of the situation.
“The city wants it to work. That was the mayor’s quote: ‘We need it to work.’ When pressed how and what the metrics would be to make it work or not work, they don’t have an answer for that. Does it mean one less break-in per month, two less break-ins per month?”
The shelter’s other neighbour is Rich City Collision Repairs.
Owner Cam Russell said he has no other choice but to install more security measures.
“The big concern is going to be loitering and any break-ins at our facility. I’m going to have to put security up for sure,” said Russell.
Reeleder said the city hasn’t informed businesses if there will be more police patrols.
Townsend said Richmond House’s record proves that, concerns regarding an “increase in crime and disturbances . . . have been shown to be unfounded. Much of the operation will be very low profile.”
But Russell contends everything has been done in secret, even the real estate deal.
The city purchased the property for $6 million in August. Its stated value is $3.7 million.
In May 2017, a similar-sized property, but with twice the gross leasable area (was valued at $5.8 million) sold for $7.7 million.
Townsend said the city was “pressed” to find a new, bigger location, in time for Richmond House’s eviction notice.
