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Mayor opposes housing plan

The mayor of Maple Ridge says he does not support provincial plans to build a 51-unit supportive housing complex in his city.

The province announced the plan last week, which would house many of those from a dismantled tent camp that has been the scene of fires and police activity. 

At an unrelated affordable housing announcement attended Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday, Morden told CTV News he wants more comprehensive services for the homeless.

“What we do want for people in addicted and compromised positions in their lives (is) to ensure they get treatment services, detox, as well as long-term recovery programs,” Morden said, “because that’s going to move them forward in their lives, as opposed to putting them behind four walls and leaving them there.”

Morden said he's disappointed the province is moving ahead without support from the city. 

Similar projects have met with resistance from neighbours in Kelowna. 

“They need to be real, meaningful resources that actually bring help, real help, to those people that need it. Housing them, as far as I’m concerned, alone, is not a solution,” Morden said.

– with files from CTV Vancouver

 



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