When The Trendy and Street Meet

Years ago I had to drop something off to the home of a co-worker. He lived in a high rise condo in downtown Calgary. The area was what would now be called the East Village. It was a lonely building as homes and buildings had been knocked down and the community was in a state of transition. Now, I have lived very close to the inner city my entire 41 years as a Calgary resident. Homelessness is a common sight for me. So when I drove up to the building I wasn’t too concerned. There were many people out and about but it was apparent most were street folk. It was late and dark so I was completely aware of my surroundings but the great thing was I parked right in front of the building. Lots of room. No cars. The condo had underground parking and so the streets were fairly empty. I pushed the buzzer and waited for the fellow to come down. I was in a no parking zone, so, I couldn’t stay too long. After our initial pleasantries I asked how he liked living in the area. That was my first lesson in inner city regeneration.

He loved the area. He reminded me how close he was to his office. This guy was originally from Montreal and so he was more in tune with population density. He bought the condo because of the convenience but also because, as usual, the first people in on a development often can reap financial benefits as the desirability level increases. As we leaned against my car chatting, he nodded greetings to the people who passed by. He pointed out the ratio of housed versus homeless walking past. He reminded me that in time there would be more and more high rise condo’s built and the population would see a huge jump in numbers. Of housed people. There may be a 50/50 ratio of homeless to housed but in time the amount of homeless would increase somewhat but those in homes would soon completely eclipse the homeless population. As he turned to go back to his condo he remarked “Ten years from now you won’t even notice there are homeless people on the street. They will just be the anomaly.” Now as I drive through the area you can see exactly what he means. The ratio has changed significantly. There are upscale shops here there and everywhere. Daycares opening in buildings. Gyms, coffee shops, cool little bistro’s with patios that spill out onto the streets on summer evenings. He was right. In a lot of ways I don’t really think much about the homeless folks. Yet they are everywhere. And there are more than before.

This is what bothers people. Now the homeless appear to make the trendy neighbourhoods a little sketchy at night. There are things going on out there after the condo dwellers are tucked into bed safe and warm. So we build bigger and better shelters in the heart of the downtown and then complain that it is too nice. Ours is sometimes referred to as the homeless Hilton. But a few blocks away is the Salvation army as well as the Mustard seed. You can’t move them far into the boonies because the homeless don’t have cars. And folks in the boonies don’t want them. And so the community has to try and foster an atmosphere of peaceful co-existence. This is what is going on. It is here to stay. The thought process is that this is a part of increased Urban density. Increased population. Gone are the days of Urban sprawl they say, but that is a lie in my neck of the woods. Although our inner city is exploding with high rise condo buildings there are those who want the large two story homes with front double garage. That means suburbs. That means living far from the City core. That means driving to the store for anything because local community strip malls are a thing of the past. You couldn’t pay me enough to move out of this inner core. I’d love to downsize to a small condo. But I want to the amenities I have right now. Close access to the river and walking paths. Bicycle trail and parks close to the hustle and bustle. The trendy part, like shops and restaurants and gyms all within walking or bicycle distance. That condo is $200,000 more than if I purchase one in the boonies. Because the boonies means I have to drive everywhere. That is why there are less homeless in the boonies. Oh there are still lots of panhandlers in the ‘burbs but they most likely live there. Or close by. I want to walk in nature not in a block grid of city sidewalks.

I used to own an inner city condo where both my son and daughter lived for a time. It was built into a hill so although it was on the second floor, one bedroom window was a big drop to the ground. The other looked out at the fence and next building. The window was three feeet off of the ground. There was a homeless man in the neighbourhood who had an old bike with a small wagon he pulled behind it. He collected bottles every day. He used to park the bike under the window at night. It was hidden away and no one but me would ever really notice it. Even as you walked up to the building it was a bit hidden because it was so far back from the front walk. My son wasn’t bothered at all when he lived there. In fact he used to leave his recyclable bottles in a bag on his deck, which was higher up. He saw someone climbing up to steal them once which was dangerous so he started leaving them outside the bedroom window. My daughter on the other hand had a baby when she lived in my condo and she did not want the baby in that bedroom. I get it. There was more of a danger for break ins from that window. Plus, as a single man, my sons safety factor was different from my daughters. She was a woman but also a Mom . She had to protect herself and a helpless person. Your brain is different in both of those situations. Now she lives in a suburban area and is quite friendly with the man who passes by looking for bottles. They are on a first name basis. Friendly greetings. Her kids are older and the entire issue of drugs has been taken off of the table. My son on the other hand lived inner city for six years and thought nothing of walking late at night. Home from an event. A quick walk to a convenience store. He met some odd people. Saved a guy from getting hit by a car as he pulled him back onto the sidewalk. The young fellow was pretty zoned out and stepped in front of a car. My son spent an hour on a bench talking the guy down. He wasn’t afraid for his own safety. He was afraid the guy would die if he was left to his own devices. He has given money, rides, and compassion. It took its toll tough. Not the homeless but the sheer amount of energy when you live in a trendy spot. Not only are there a lot more residents, but the suburban crowd flocks to these areas on weekends, holidays and even just for weekday hangs. My son could never get into a local restaurant at lunch time because there were lineups from people who drove there. It wasn’t the homeless who annoyed him, it was the ‘burbanites.

The homeless have moved farther out from the city core and there is a small tent community close to my home. The city dismantles them in the winter as it can get pretty cold. When I walk down to the river I pass through a tunnel under the train station. There are usually a few folks sitting inside charging their phones. There are cameras everywhere but no one ever says anything. And people are watching. I rode my bike through the tunnel once and immediately a booming voice came over a speaker telling me to “Dismount and walk your bicycle”. When I kept riding the voice said “Get off your bike lady!” I have never felt unsafe when walking out there. I do bring small bottles of water on my walks and leave them beside some of the tents as I go by. I also carry garbage bags. Small ones to pick up the odd wrappings. Larger bags to leave with the water. Interestingly enough, they do get used. Once in awhile I grab a full garbage bag on my walks and drop in in the city bins.

We had a small hotel turned into an Alpha house close to my neighbourhood. It is for men who are getting off of drugs and off the streets. Some people were outraged and others were happy that there was help for these guys. I am always amazed at the reactions of people. I understand there is always the NIMBY (not in my back yard) mentality. But if my backyard is more inner city that’s what is going to happen. One particularly cold winter, the city bussed people from a shelter to an empty warehouse near my community. There were only beds and bathrooms available. The clientele was brought later in the evening and bussed back to the shelter early in the morning before breakfast. It was the right thing to do and logistically the best idea. I had some neighbours who were upset because now the homeless people knew where we lived. It was hard to keep a straight face. I do notice more makeshift shelters on my walk along the cement barrier of a main road by my home. It is high on a hill and open to the elements so I wouldn’t camp out there. But I understand why some folks do. They can see someone coming from a mile away. They are always alert to any dangers that might be round them. Plus they are steps away from power and warmth.

I am at an age where I am certainly more wary than I was in my youth. Some things in my past make me wonder why I am even here at all. The Universe was keeping me safe when I was an idiot. I have matured in so many ways. I take greater care. I am careful when I hike uneven terrain. I dress for the weather. I exercise and try to eat better in order to stay as healthy as possible. I meditate and stretch to keep my mind and limbs nimble. But I admit there are some things that never change. I still drive too fast. On a motorbike and in a car. I eat salty chips even though I suffer the next day. I still walk in areas where the less fortunate have sought refuge from the world. What I have learned about homelessness and addiction is something I learned from my parents long ago. There but for the grace of God go I. I am not living this life alone. I am aware there are forces that keep me safe. Housed. Fed. Clothed. Most importantly loved. Those I pass on the street have a story. One I will never know. But it is their story and their life. The greatest gift we can give to another person is respect for their dignity. Without help from the people around me I would not have had the life I chose. I did not do it alone. I was blessed. I will never turn my back on those around me who need my help. Nor will I judge those who have fallen to great depths. Those who have hit rock bottom. I often wonder where I would have ended up if I had been born into the same circumstances. Perhaps I wouldn’t be here at all. Bears thinking about.