To the editor,
Re: Approach to social problems isn’t working, Letters, April 5.
I am a woman in my 60s who recently found myself homeless. I could not believe my eyes when I read the letter saying most homeless people choose that life. I sure didn’t. I was camped at city hall when I had to be rushed to the hospital and luckily my son got me an apartment I could afford. Before that I spent eight months looking for a place. The cheapest one-bedroom I found was $1,000. I am on a fixed income and cannot possibly afford that. Don’t be so quick to judge people.
Hilary Bennett, Nanaimo
To the editor,
Homelessness is a reality in Nanaimo. Over the past few years I have seen, and talked to a homeless man who spends his entire day at Terminal Park. He had his lower leg amputated some months ago and received an old electric wheelchair from some charity. He spent this winter in a nearby shelter; each morning he went to Terminal Park to spend the day. He obviously cannot care for himself, and I guess that’s my point.
I know nothing can really be done for many homeless people , however watching this man deteriorate daily is hard. He obviously had some problems but you would think that some agency could intervene. Sad really. I expect that he will die in that chair some rainy night, alone in a parking lot, in a wealthy city.
Mike Oliver, Nanaimo
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