The population of a controversial homeless camp in Maple Ridge is expected to grow Wednesday, with one of the city’s only two homeless shelters slated to close its doors.
The Rain City shelter had been providing 40 spaces, and had been in operation since 2015.
Tanna, one of the residents, says she’s been living there for the past year.
“I don’t want to do it anymore. I’d rather be in a tent somewhere. I’m sick of people trying to tell me where I can live and where I can’t live. I worked all my life and supported my husband and three kids, and my husband died recently.”
Residents say they’ve been told they can head to the nearby Salvation Army shelter, which can accommodate 30 people.
But for Tanna, the closure means she’ll be headed to Maple Ridge’s controversial tent city, known as Anita’s Place.
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“I’m handicapped, and I spend the last five days hauling my stuff down there. I’ve tried to keep all my stuff, as much as I can also. And I’m really upset with people thinking that we’re wanting a free ride. We don’t want it. We just want what everyone else is entitled to, and we’re tired.”
But that option may be fading too.
City of Maple Ridge bylaw staff have now filed an injunction against the campers, with the goal of ordering them to vacate.
Dwane, who lives in the tent city, says they’re regularly harassed by city staff.
“You take everything away, take the tents away. The last things that they have, and they take that away. And laugh when they leave. It’s not illegal to be homeless. I didn’t choose this, no one does.”
Camp residents have also complained of intimidation tactics by Maple Ridge residents.
Homelessness has been a long-simmering issue in the city, and another encampment on Cliff Ave. became a flashpoint with residents in 2015.
The establishment of the Rain City facility itself was controversial, and two attempts to locate a new low barrier shelter or housing facility in the city, despite funding and the offer of city land, have fallen through in the last year.
“I used to have a house and it was great, then everything fell apart…and here I am.”
-With files from Jeremy Lye
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