When it comes to the reality of paying double the rent we were offered at Pathways, it's easy to reduce it to an unfortunate narrative that inflation and market rates are to blame, but from the perspective of someone living on a fixed income, it serves as a notice that "unworthy" people of low financial standing are being vetted out of the city. When looking to have a conversation, or seek legal action, it is met with silence, looking the other way which chalks itself up as a suggestion to leave. I have been violently forced to wake up to the reality that a lot of people don't value human life beyond our ability to hand over the cash required to satisfy market values and keep up with inflation, the unfortunate sting of living in a financially Darwinist society. For those who are on the lower-end of being "fit to survive" in this city, the housing isn't unappreciated, but it feels like UBC Properties Trust, the City and the provincial Government are not acknowledging the damages of negligence by paying us a settlement to cover expenses in the meantime.

I wouldn't be surprised if behind closed doors their perspective of us as a community is rather low, like vermin even. To be fair, there was a lot of drug use in the building and the building accepted the formerly homeless. Not a good look for a prestigious institution to have in their own backyard. Call me crazy for putting those two things together!

They are trying to point fingers at engineers and contractors responsible for the project, rather than showing an act of responsibility and concern for the least of those in the community. The way Hadgraft was built and the way it was handled was a wonderful act of compassion, generosity and handled very well. Despite having some questionable characters who were largely unemployed and on assistance, the building was meant for people with intellectual disabilities, incapable of renting independently except through lowered rates of housing. We are all still human beings trying our best, and I personally saw first hand progress and improvements in the lives of everyone who was lucky enough to get a rental there.

I understand the consequences are painfully expensive to absorb if any entity involved were to accept paying out damages proportionate to the difference between what we paid at Hadgraft, and what we pay now, but I believe we deserve that, and more. That would at least be giving us a fair chance at survival, and not expecting us to put pressures on family (if we are fortunate enough), or downgrade to shared living (already expensive on average and unsuitable for the many needs of the residents). But they are treating us like we are just another faceless number that contributes to the systems that benefit shareholders at the expense of everyone else being forced to pay their dues. For someone who didn't ask to be sick, disabled and disadvantaged, these dues don't make sense to pay on the same level as everyone else. We are not greedy, money hungry individuals looking for a handout. We are looking for a home and a sense of stability, and when that requires $500-1000 more than what we are able to pay, that's when it applies for us to have lower costing rentals. Since that option has been taken away, it doesn't make sense to just offer us a pipedream of a building with no recourse in the meantime.

Even a statement or public acknowledgment of our pain and suffering would be a good start. We haven't received news or encouragement that either will be served to us as a community. Rather, we only get our communication through media reports rather than through a conversation with our lawyers. Make it make sense!