An outcry from people experiencing homelessness on 91大黄鸭鈥檚 Leon Avenue has prompted replies from local homelessness advocacy groups.
On Wednesday, The Lived Experience Circle on Homelessness (LECoH), said it missed an opportunity to advocate for those they represent after a group of homeless people held an organized press conference the day before demanding the city take action to improve their living conditions.
鈥淲e have missed an opportunity to connect with more people and support them in advocating for their needs,鈥� said the organization in an email.
鈥淲orking diligently in the background is no excuse for disengaging with our base. We are openly seeking an opportunity to connect with those voices on Leon and discover what we can do to help; we have established some excellent channels for dialogue with important stakeholders and we want to use them on behalf of those on Leon.鈥�
READ MORE: 鈥楬omes not shelters鈥�: Those living on 91大黄鸭 streets rally for rights
READ MORE: 91大黄鸭 homeless to demand improvements to their living conditions
On Tuesday, Surrey-based advocacy group Alliance Against Displacement (AAD), held a press conference with those living rough on Leon Avenue to draw attention to their situation and set out a list of four demands for the city, including more housing options, no unlawful searches of their tents, no more 鈥渟tealing鈥� by police and electrical options for heating their tents.
Listen Chen, a spokesperson for the organization, said at the time that among the four demands, the biggest grievance was the ongoing violations of the residents鈥� Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
鈥淭reating poor and homeless people as if they don鈥檛 have rights, as if they鈥檙e not entitled to having personal possessions and privacy, that sends a message to the public that these people are not fully human,鈥� said Chen on Nov. 12.
Chen said her organization spent last weekend collecting signatures and speaking to residents living on Leon Avenue before narrowing down their list of demands.
Kyleen Myrah, chair for the Central Okanagan Journey Home Society, said AAD鈥檚 involvement could complicate their work with those experiencing homelessness in 91大黄鸭.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a frustrating distraction,鈥� said Myrah in response to AAD鈥檚 Tuesday press conference.
鈥淲e recognize that the situation on Leon Avenue is not acceptable or sustainable.
鈥淚t is more important than ever to stay the course and focus our efforts, continuing to work collaboratively towards the development of community-based solutions to our issues.鈥�
To report a typo, email:
newstips@kelownacapnews.com.
newstips@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on .
