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Gymnasts on the beam
Open-heart surgery – twice in one year
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Longtime city tenant refuses to go
‘THIS IS NOT THE WAY THE CITY WANTS PEOPLE TO LIVE’
Janaya Fuller-Evans staff reporter
Burnaby resident Jim Sharp says he has lived in a duplex at 4384 Ledger Ave. for the past 20 years without a problem. So he was dismayed to receive an eviction notice from the City of Burnaby as soon as it bought the home, in September. “They immediately just declared that they were going to demolish it,” he said, adding all the tenants in the home, which had been turned into an illegal fourplex by the previous owner, were given two month’s notice. Tenants were given the month of November rent-free, to help with moving expenses, according to the city’s building manager. Sharp has been employed off and on for the past 10 years, since getting laid off from a sawmill, he said. He’s had to go on social assistance. “It’s something I thought would never happen,” Sharp said. He also gets some money from Worker’s Eviction Page 4
Larry Wright/burnaby now
HOME SWEET HOME? Jim Sharp has lived in a city-owned duplex for 20 years and he’s fighting to stay there despite repeated attempts by the city to evict him.
10 deaths linked to homelessness in city Jennifer Moreau staff reporter
Burnaby’s task force on homelessness is raising concerns over deaths linked to living on the streets. Since 2007, there have been more than 10 people in Burnaby who have died prematurely as a result of issues related to health and homelessness, according to Wanda Mulholland of the Burnaby Task Force On Homelessness. “It is horrible, and that’s the reality of what you’re dealing with,” Mulholland said. “Sometimes when you talk about stats
and numbers – that’s all important, but we’re talking about real people.” According to Mulholland, each person’s situation was unique, but all died under the age of 65 and had been homeless for a period of time. Out of the 10 deaths Mulholland cited, she said the most recent was a couple of months ago. “These local tragedies raise concerns about the health risks associated with homelessness and the crucial need for improved services,” she said. Mulholland volunteers as a receptionist with the Progressive Housing Society’s outreach resource centre. The society is a group
dedicated to helping Burnaby’s homeless population. When asked how she knew that homelessness was the cause of death, Mulholland responded: “Because I know the people, and I know that they were all homeless for periods of time.” She characterized the problem as a result of health issues worsening from living outdoors. “Being outside and not having access to medical care, ... that just makes it so much more difficult for people, and their longevity is reduced,” she said. According to Mulholland, physical assaults, drugs and alcohol issues are factors that can become fatal if left untreated.
“We want to raise awareness of the severity of this issue,” she said. “It’s very tragic, and it’s the final example of the toll that homelessness and lack of services causes.” Mulholland cited research, which states people who are dealing with homelessness are eight times more likely to get sick and die, seven times more likely to have alcohol problems and five times more likely to be admitted to hospital and stay longer as compared to the general population. According to the 2008 Metro Vancouver Deaths Page 4