A growing number of people experiencing homelessness behind Under One Roof is drawing some concern from people in the neighbourhood. Still, one person living behind the building hopes people can understand their difficulties and work together to find solutions.
On Jan. 5, amid a rainfall warning that eventually saw 50 millimetres of rain in Squamish, approximately five tents were pitched behind Under One Roof. One of the residents, Erica Roberts, told The Squamish Chief that she was staying there simply due to the high living costs.
"I can't afford a place by myself, let alone even rent a room," she said.
The mother of two said she grew up in Squamish and has experienced the changing costs firsthand as years ago she used to rent a three-bedroom apartment for about $695 a month.
"It's unreal," she said of the current rental rates. "Like, it's unreal."
Some living in tents informed to leave
Near the end of 2023, some people tenting behind the building were informed they would need to leave.
In November 2023, an employee with The Squamish Chief saw bylaw officers behind the building. A District of Squamish spokesperson, Rachel Boguski, confirmed in an email that bylaw officers informed some of the people living there that they had to move.
"District Bylaw Services were made aware of long-term camping on Third Avenue and delivered notices in an effort to encourage individuals to collect their belongings and move on from the area. Public Works staff helped to remove abandoned material that had been left behind by those who relocated. Outreach workers are supporting those who remain by connecting them with programs and services that may be of assistance," reads the email from November.
"We empathize with members of our community faced with the challenges of affordability, housing, and complex health and understand the urgent need for housing and supports. We continue to work with our community partners to increase access to shelter and support so that all our members of our community feel cared for and safe."
Since then, a couple of people in the neighbourhood reached out to The Squamish Chief with concerns about people living behind Under One Roof.
Renata Sardinha said her concern is "mainly safety at the moment," sharing that she's had encounters where she was yelled at or called names while outside with her child. Sardinha said this has made her feel unsafe while outside by herself.
Another person, Nora Ní Bhríain, who visited Squamish several times in 2023 before moving permanently to town, said she is worried about human-wildlife conflicts for people living behind Under One Roof with its proximity to the estuary, as she has previously seen a bear in the area.
'Providing a campground … is not within our strategy'
While Sardinha believes the District should enforce its no camping bylaw, she also said Canada couldn't build homes fast enough for everyone. Asked about potential solutions, she said opening an outdoor space for unhoused people could help, but it would be equally necessary to ask the individuals what each needs.
"The solution is talking to them, and ask what they need," she said.
Similarly, Roberts said having a designated outdoor space to pitch a tent would help.
"I would truly like to see the city take a spot in town, specifically for the homeless, and have all of us be able to ... peacefully throw up our tents, keep it clean, live happily and not get constantly harassed by the District, by the bylaw, by the police," she said.
However, the District said this is not within its strategy.
"Our strategy is a Housing First approach to housing vulnerable populations, whereby housing and support services are provided as a first step. Getting people housed is the focus of our work. … Providing a campground for those experiencing homelessness is not within our strategy," reads an email to The Squamish Chief from Boguski.
Lori Pyne, the executive director at Under One Roof, said she has brainstormed ideas with the District and BC Housing. Pyne identified safe lots, hygiene stations and storage as potentially a few ways to help those who are currently unhoused, though she said all would need resources to help manage and operate.
"We're probably the most informed and trained team in the city that could deal with something like that. But certainly, it's resource-heavy and we don't have those resources at present," she said.
Staying at Under One Roof
In Roberts' opinion, staying at Under One Roof can be difficult for some because the rules can be cumbersome.
"It's hard to come and go as you please," said Roberts. "And I understand, for sure, I understand that. But even when you're in bed, it's like you can only get up once or twice to have a cigarette in the middle of the night."
Roberts said these rules can be tough for a variety of reasons but for her, it was essentially about having agency.
Pyne said their policies stem from ensuring safety and mitigating risk.
"Safety to me is the staff, but safety is also the participants and safety is also the neighbours," she said. "So we take all of these people into consideration when we're making decisions."
But, Pyne emphasized that they supported participants no matter what.
"Every person has the right to their own agency and the right to make decisions," she said.
The need for Under One Roof is apparent, as Pyne said they had to turn away about a dozen people in December when it was full. During emergency weather events, like the frigid temperatures around Jan. 12, she said they can add six extra people in the building with their current staffing and up to 10 extra if they can find one more staff member.
However, these extra spaces are mats on the floor, so they are not permanent. Pyne also said it could be "challenging" to meet the staffing need to increase up to 10 extra spaces.
Permanent solutions still needed
While brainstorming some of the ideas listed above, Pyne said they certainly weren't permanent solutions.
"It's not like all of a sudden you're not homeless just because you're in a tent in a safe lot," she said. "It doesn't mean you're not homeless just because you just got a night in an emergency weather shelter."
Roberts thinks education is needed, especially when it comes to substance use struggles.
"I would love it if they could actually have some kind of seminar or something for people to just understand," she said. "It's not the fact that people want to be on drugs … it's just after a couple of times, they have to. Physically, they have to, or they will get violently ill or could possibly die."
"Having people understand more of the mental health of a lot of the homeless would be amazing because then they will understand more as to why they are the way they are."
The District says they continue to leverage the provincial government for help, pointing to the recent announcement of the transitional home on Fourth Avenue as an example.
"We continue to advocate to the province for supportive and transitional housing and support community organizations such as Under One Roof that provides supportive housing and shelter for our residents in need. Recent examples include the new transitional housing with integrated health care supports to open in downtown Squamish, and a new project whereby a partnership with Squamish Housing is seeking provincial funding to explore feasibility for a future affordable housing project," wrote Boguski.
The transitional house can hold up to 10 people and aims to be open by the fall.
As it stands, Pyne was careful not to put the onus on one organization or group of people either.
"We're working very closely with the District and the community and BC Housing on managing this," she said. "It's everyone's problem … it's not just Under One Roof's problem and not just the people that are living in a tent."
