DUNBAR RESIDENTS OUT IN FORCE TO QUESTION CANDIDATES
ABOUT ADDICT HOUSING

Nearly 300 Dunbarites crowded into a church hall Monday night
demanding to know what civic election candidates think about a
controversial proposal to create housing units for recovering addicts
at 16th Avenue and Dunbar.

Many left the meeting, hosted by the Dunbar Residents' Association,
confused about how the proposal came to be, although candidates
promised public consultations would be held before any final decisions
were made for the property's use.

The city bought the land last spring to build social housing.
According to one option under consideration, that housing could be
provided to drug and alcohol addicts who've been clean for 60 days.
The city is working with the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority on a
citywide supported housing plan, and the recommended use of the site
will come from that plan.

According to the city, Dunbar is one of three neighbourhoods in
Vancouver without any social housing.

Dunbar residents, many of whom first heard about the addict
rehabilitation proposal through a Dunbar Residents' Association
newsletter, insist a better use for the property would be for
affordable seniors' housing.

The packed meeting attracted three incumbents -Coun. Sam Sullivan, the
NPA's mayoral candidate, and COPE councillors Fred Bass and Ellen
Woodsworth. Coun. Jim Green, Vision Vancouver's mayoral candidate, had
another appointment and couldn't make it for the 8 p.m. speaking
deadline, but he sent one of his party's council candidates, Heather
Harrison, in his place. Three other NPA candidates were on hand, along
with seven independents and a candidate from the Work Less Party.

None of the elected politicians seemed clear about details around the
city's decision to buy the land and none would say what they thought
the land should be used for.

Monika Hoffman, a Dunbar resident for 26 years, wasn't convinced
adequate consultation will take place. "A lot of these politicians
answered like true politicians," she said after the meeting. "I found
a lot of the questions were not answered directly... Who is going to
guarantee us due process will take place?"

Hoffman isn't completely opposed to the idea of housing units for
addicts, but said she needs more details about the project, including
what safeguards would be in place to protect the community.

Several residents pointed out a liquor store is located close by and
questioned why a home for addicts would be located near the store.

But David Bell, a Dunbar resident for 25 years, left the meeting
feeling confident politicians heard the community's concern. "There
will be consultation or there will be a huge uproar," he said.

Esther Ukai, whose mother Kay Ukai has rented space and operated Kay's
Cleaners on the property in question for 54 years, is concerned the
city paid more than the value estimated to her by a commercial assessor.

But Rob Whitlock, senior housing officer, said the city paid $3.3
million for two lots. The price the city offered was based on
comparable sales in the area, he said.

The city has given business owners on the property an 18-month lease
extension, although Kay Ukai opted to go month to month.

Marg Carre, who's lived in the area for decades, was upset at the
prospect of a rehabilitation facility. She questioned who would check
to ensure residents remained "dry" and wondered about the home's
effect on real estate values. She also doubted the assurances about
consultation.

"They better stick to their words and listen to the community," she
said.