Public Disorder & the Decline of Vancouver's Livability

[FarmerHaight]

That was a very comprehensive and coherent post and I agree wholeheartedly, Changing City. Unfortunately, crime is a political issue and many Vancouver residents would see the free housing, safe supply, and abundant mental health supports approach as far too sympathetic for a repeat offender. The logical response that would be advocated for by any external consultant is rarely adopted when the optics don't work politically. Hopefully Vancouver and British Columbia can choose leaders who not only have the desire to adhere to Canada's Housing First policy, but also the willpower to follow through.

I would also add that the entire social safety net has to work together. Indigenous peoples are overrepresented in our prison and homeless populations, and while some of this is due to the racial bias of the criminal justice system, Canada sets up Indigenous children to fail. Resolving the trauma of residential schools, bolstering high school graduation rates, providing Indigenous communities with basic community services, and eliminating discrimination in the hiring process for entry-level jobs will all help change outcomes later in life.