I would like to add and respond to Dwyn Roberts letter written in the Friday, Sept. 30 edition of the newspaper.
While I sympathize with the person(s) in the campground coming to Nelson, I have to agree with the fact that they should have researched the area and, having done so, figured out that the rental situation is at a zero vacancy rate. I wonder, also, if people who are coming from eastern Canada for certain programs, can find these same programs closer to home without the added concern of housing.
You know, I cannot decide to go to some place just because it offers a “utopian” atmosphere or existence before first establishing that I can support myself there. For example: I cannot, tomorrow, decide to go to a quaint, scenic community in Canada expecting this community to support me because I decided to move there knowing I did not have any means to support myself.
You know what, I’m tired of Nelson being the scapegoat for not providing this and that and everything in between.
I’m tired of the skewed stats about Nelson’s housing and homelessness during the spring and summer months. Let’s face it — people come here for the scene, for the scenery, for the culture, for this and that. In the summer we are inundated with people who sit on our sidewalks and want handouts to help them stay in the area while many of them (I’ve talked to many) are unwilling to apply for the many jobs available during this season and just want to stay and enjoy.
Many people come here knowing that they cannot support themselves here and they know that Nelson will provide for them.
I think that the question we need to ask many of the people who find themselves without housing and other means is, “Why did you come here rather than somewhere else with more prospects?”
This little, idyllic place is being asked to provide more than it can and if we try to accommodate, this little, idyllic place will turn into someplace that none of us wanted — much like Kelowna.
There are other places in BC that offer jobs, courses, cheaper housing, etc. I think that it’s time that we give Nelson a reprieve. Nelson is a small community with finite resources. There are other places to go with more.
Heather Jenkins
Nelson