I read Mimi G. Kimbrough’s May 30 letter ” ‘Free’ ends with someone paying,” regarding Lincoln Place, with mixed emotions. The writer makes valid points about the services residents will receive at the new housing complex for chronically homeless people. I say valid if we are talking about people who are able to take care of themselves, get clean and sober and earn a living, but we’re not. These residents, having been assessed by the Vulnerability Assessment Test, are the most apt to die on the street because they can’t take care of themselves, can’t break their addictions, can’t get a job and can’t cure their mental illness without help.
My husband and I attended a memorial service for the homeless held at St. Paul Lutheran Church this past week where seven people from the streets of west Vancouver were remembered. Without Lincoln Place and the Housing First concept, future memorial services could be remembering 30 more. I’m proud of my city for seeing that doesn’t happen.
Judy Enders
Vancouver
