Across British Columbia, communities have worked hard-often against immense pressures-to expand housing options, strengthen supportive services, and respond with compassion and pragmatism to the needs of their most vulnerable residents. But a damaging myth also continues to circulate: that housing and shelter are the problem, rather than the solution, to homelessness and the street disorder so many communities are struggling with.

As we enter a season traditionally associated with reflection, generosity, and compassion for our neighbours, we are seeing the opposite take hold: temporary and transitional housing sites under threat of closure, and proposals for emergency resources-such as winter shelters-being rejected. Not because need has diminished. Not because permanent housing is available. But because of the mistaken belief that shutting down supportive housing will somehow solve the visible impacts of poverty, illness and the toxic drug crisis.