Dear Editor:
Some valid points have been raised about the need for treating substance abuse in the community.
Group homes are on a slippery slope, faced with difficulties wherever they are located, often referred to as being important but “just not in my backyard.” But neighbours’ resentment is also understandable as the group home we lived beside ultimately forced us to move.
We lived beside a group home in the City of North Vancouver for 13 years and during that time we were not just the next door neighbours.
We also became the overnight and weekend supervisors as the daytime social worker was only there until about 4 p.m. After that it was basically up to my wife and I to take care of business if we wanted to have a decent night’s sleep.
This type of group home had no more than five residents allowed and therefore did not require public consultation of any sort to exist in the community, nor was it required to employ 24-hour supervision.
That’s where we became involved because, like it or not, area residents have no choice but to be vigilant. Complacency would have been disastrous.
As for the lack of empirical evidence showing a decline in property values due to the proximity of a group home to an adjacent property, I have the following to impart: We listed our house for sale after months of renovations done to make sure our home looked its best both inside and out.
We brought it to the table ready to go in the hopes of an easy sell, as it was somewhat of a seller’s market at the time and our listing price was by no means outrageous.
After many showings (over 30) there was a common denominator emerging with comments such as, “We really like the house and the area it’s in but what’s up with the neighbours?”
Discouraging doesn’t even come close to describing the sense of frustration we felt after hearing that so many times. And just to pile on, three out of the five guys in the group home smoked so there was usually smoke wafting over during a showing.
After a month of lots of showings and no offers we spoke with the group home case worker whom, after apologizing profusely, told us they were moving in six months or so (now we’re thinking, really? After all these years . . . now?).
Upon confirming this news with a prospective buyer and the group home worker, our house was sold a week later, seven per cent below asking price.
Case in point: because of our proximity to a group home we did indeed experience a loss in property value — not to mention our sanity.
At the very least Windridge residents have every right to be informed about what the district council has proposed and, if rezoning is approved, the demand this will put on the area residents.
Be vigilant, don’t take your foot off the gas as this will affect more than property values. We know.
C.D. Atkins
Lions Bay
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