The Regional District of Nanaimo board voted unanimously to once again ask the ministry of mental health and addictions for help. (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Spencer Sterritt

seeking assistance

RDN sending another letter to mental health and addictions ministry asking for help

Jan 26, 2021 | 5:08 PM

NANAIMO — The Regional District of Nanaimo is once again reaching out to the province for more assistance in the ongoing challenge of homelessness.

The RDN voted unanimously during their Tuesday, Jan. 26 meeting on a motion from board chair and Nanaimo councillor Tyler Brown to send a letter to the ministry of mental health and addictions.

The letter requests “adequate levels of treatment, recovery, detox and after-care facilities” and “complex care housing for those that need more intensive care than supportive housing.”

“The tragedy of homelessness and its many complex root causes are impacting all of our communities,” Brown said. “We’d all agree it’s heartbreaking and shameful in a country and province like ours there’s people without houses and they’re left to suffer, in some cases on the streets.”

The province sent a similar letter to the ministry of mental health and addictions on May 1, 2020 when a different minister was in charge. The letter at the time specifically requested support for a secure housing facility with 24-hour medical care and assistance.

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Since the first letter was sent, a $4.5 million, 60-bed navigation centre was announced for Nanaimo. It was expected to be open in the spring of 2021 but a site hasn’t yet been identified.

Nanaimo MLA Sheila Malcolmson is the current minister for mental health and addictions.

Brown’s motion specifically used the “complex care centre” wording from Malcolmson’s mandate letter.

Electoral Area F director Leanne Salter said she desired more medical professionals handling the crisis throughout the area, rather than new housing options.

“If it had worked, we wouldn’t be writing a letter right now. We’d be saying ‘Everything’s great, we’ve got houses and everyone is fine.’ People don’t need houses if they’re sick, they need doctors.”

The original motion regarding the letter being sent was amended to remove the phrase “most vulnerable” when referring to who the housing would help.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @SpencerSterritt