Manitoba Housing at 170 Hendon- concerns over drugs and prostitution

Last Friday I met with residents of the Manitoba Housing units at 170 Hendon. They gave me an earfull.

The discussion during our meeting surrounded the major safety concerns that plague the residents of 170 Hendon Avenue.

During my visit I was very troubled by what I heard. Gunfire in the parking lot, crack cocaine available, prostitution, theft, physical assaults, verbal assaults, even suite doors lit on fire.

Of further concern drug dealers and troublemakers are getting into the building because doors have been propped open.

Every tenant voiced the need for on-site security. Clearly a huge step to address their safety is to add on-site security. There is certainly a cost to supplying on-site security; however I would argue that the social costs that are being incurred right now are far larger than that of on-site security.

A majority of these tenants are good people. They are trying to lead good, productive, healthy lives. It is our responsibility to give them every possibility to do so.

Manitoba Housing Authority employees work very hard for the best interests of the people. Still the province’s approach needs to improve to address the very serious safety concerns of the people at 170 Hendon and all others living with the help of the Manitoba Housing Authority.

But, the Manitoba government should be THE model landlord, and lead the way for the sake of the people at 170 Hendon, and for the betterment of Manitoba. This will need political will.

At the moment the NDP are talking about reducing crime, but the reality is that Manitoba Housing establishments too often are problem locations rather than exemplary locations for tenants. The NDP should be doing better than this.