Homelessness is a problem that has been around for many years and it’s something that will not go away.

It’s we as a community that must deal with it and it shows the mettle of the community in how it’s dealt with. Unfortunately, Abbotsford falls extremely short of the mark in how the homeless are treated. They are harassed, beaten, robbed and often feel the disdain of the community at large.

It would be interesting to see how many people have reached into their own pockets and with direct involvement, tackled the homeless problem and provided housing for multiple persons.

Enter Steve Simpson into the equation in 2003. He started out by feeding pizzas to the homeless – now he operates 12 boarding houses.

He strongly believes that living in the solution requires action and so he puts in 12-18 hours per day keeping the boarding houses running, fielding 150-200 phone calls that range from requests for rides to the hospital to providing references for schooling, work and various other matters.

Steve ran his houses as recovery-oriented homes. He realized that not all homeless people are drug addicts or drunks. About two years ago he began phasing out the recovery homes and began tackling the complete entity of homelessness and all his houses became boarding homes. If anyone has addiction issues or other heavy baggage there are enough community-related agencies for that person to access and they are encouraged to use the boarding house as a place to build their foundation from.

Then why the opposition from the city in efforts to close all the boarding homes down that have less than five people?

How about some Christian people stepping forward to help give these struggling souls some practical input?

I’m not talking about giving money to organizations to salve the conscience, but getting personally active with donations of clothes, food, blankets or even offering rides.

After scanning the article in The News, I must say that Steve has at least 20 people that have been boarding with him for the last five to six years. Hardly what a recovery house mandate is and hardly the sign of ill treatment.

This is an underhanded campaign that this city has embarked upon, trying to close these houses(who knows what will become of the residents?) The city keeps looking at the problem but it’s guys like Steve Simpson who live in the solution and he could use the help of those in this community who also want to live in the solution.

So rather than look at a homeless person as a bad person, try seeing them as people who need help, encouragement and oh yeah, someone who could use a little bit of brotherly and sisterly love. 

Are you living in the solution or are you part of the problem? 

David Easingwood