Editor’s note: The following letter arrived describing a housing situation in Burnaby, but the author has asked for their name to be withheld due to safety concerns.
“I read an article in your sister publication, the North Shore News, about a flophouse or rooming house in North Vancouver making life difficult for area residents and can attest at the damage it can cause because of what I’ve witnessed in my south Burnaby neighbourhood.
There is a flophouse on my street and it’s been a constant scourge of noise, fights, garbage and more. The place is filthy and the photo of the North Van house (pictured above) is very reminiscent of our flophouse. People come and go at all hours of the day and night, which would be fine if they were just quiet about it. There is constant drug deals going on and many of the floppers are drunk or high. Again, that would be OK if they did this inside but drunk people cause lots of disruption when they are outside.
I’m hesitant to discuss specific details about this place, other than it being roughly in the Edmonds area, because I have been vocal with the people staying there and the person running things, and have been targeted with harassment in return. My car has been keyed and I’ve been yelled at. It’s a cruel, sick joke played on the residents.
That’s why I haven’t reported this place to the city. At least not yet. I’m the only one on my street who has been vocal with these people and if I report it and the city investigates, these people will know it was me who complained. Considering how long it takes for inspections and action, that makes me a target for an extended period.
We need a speedier process to deal with these situations so people who file complaints are more protected. I’m still considering what action to take but I need people to understand just how terrible these situations can be.
I appreciate that housing is hard to find. I know this is an expensive city. If the people who were flopping in this house just maintained basic standards then I wouldn’t have an issue. I don’t care how many people are living there. If they just kept quiet, then the life of my family and my neighbours wouldn’t be so disrupted. I fear that one day the house will go up in flames and people will be hurt.”
