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Maple Ridge annnounces new name for homeless force

Maple Ridge Resilience Initiative new name for task force looking into homeless.
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RCMP and paramedics have responded to assaults and drug overdoses at the homeless camp on Cliff Avenue in the last two weeks.

The group effort to tackle homelessness in Maple Ridge now has a new title that doesn’t contain the name.

The project, composed of four teams, addressing various aspects of homelessness, will be called the Maple Ridge Resilience Initiative, according to a June 2 release from the City of Maple Ridge.

Coupled with that, is a new Facebook page called the Maple Ridge Resilience Initiative and a new e-mail address, resilience@mapleridge.ca, plus a new 24-hour hotline at 604-467-7475.

“We would like to acknowledge the frustration and anger that we are hearing from some citizens around the issue of homelessness in the community,” said the release.

“This problem is decades in the making. It is a complex problem for which there are no easy solutions.

The release said, “We have been consulting with our local service providers about other communities to explore how others have dealt with this issue, and we have assembled a team with the knowledge and drive to make a difference here in Maple Ridge.

“We will need citizen’s patience as we execute our plan.

The plan was released last week at a special meeting last Thursday with a powerpoint presentation explaining the city’s strategy.