Editor:
We have been very blessed over the years to have lost few homes to natural disaster. Flood, fires, quakes. But there is a disaster playing out right now that is costing folks their homes with no government relief, as if it were natural.
This is not a blame or shame letter. Just a reality check. We continue to lose locals on a weekly basis. Teachers, mechanics, garbage workers, servers, care aids and so on. Seniors are being evicted after 40 years of occupancy, 32 years disabled, single mothers, pretty much anyone with a pet.
When I was young, my closet was 2.5 feet wide. These days you could rent out closets as bedrooms. If you have a room or a cabin or an unused unit, please offer it up, even temporarily. Clean out the garage to offer dry storage. They’re full too.
We are in desperate need of temporary land for tiny homes, mobiles homes or RVs. Relaxed zoning so your mother can live in your trailer in back.
Septic companies will come to the sites to pump. Power can be arranged.
If you have anything with a roof and heat, reach out, even for storage. You won’t have to reach far, they are your neighbours. Maybe a couple of the B and Bs would take half what they are asking and let them stay a month or two. These people are not looking for a free ride. They have money, just not enough.
Mar-Lynn Church, ts’ukw’um
