A Richmond, B.C. senior who has spent years cycling through tents, shelters and hospital stays is now in a hotel, thanks to support from the community. Ruth Tiahlo says she has struggled to find stable housing for years, moving between emergency shelters, temporary camps and hospital care with no long-term solution. Earlier this month, CTV News told her story. Since then, members of the community have stepped in, funding her temporary stay in a hotel. “I’d like to say thank you very much,” said Tiahlo, addressing her supporters. “I come from a family of 15 children. They’ve all expired. I’m the only one left out of 15. So I appreciate your kindness and your help.” Her situation is part of a broader trend across the region. “Just in Metro Vancouver – the latest housing homelessness count was that 22 % of all people who are homeless are over the age of 65,” said Seniors Advocate Dan Levitt in a June 12 interview. In response, a Richmond city councillor is pushing for a $10,000 emergency fund aimed at helping seniors in crisis. “So certainly, this emergency fund is a very small band-aid,” said Coun. Laura Gillanders who proposed the motion after hearing Tiahlo’s story. “It’s really just a way to support our after-hours outreach team and the faith-based community, because they aren’t our city employees,” said Coun. Laura Gillanders. Gillanders is also calling on the province to expand senior housing and care options, pointing to cases where seniors move between hospital care, shelters and the street. “Why are seniors getting discharged to the street if they’re homeless? Why aren’t they being found housing immediately?” she said. For now, Tiahlo says she is grateful for a safe place to sleep, but she is uncertain about what comes next. “I’m one of the many, many here in BC that require care and help that we need. Why are we not receiving it? I don’t understand what the holdup is,” she said. Richmond council is set to vote on the emergency fund Monday night. While the proposal may provide immediate relief, councillors acknowledge long-term solutions will need to come from senior levels of government. Vancouver Coastal Health, which is responsible for coordinating long-term care services in the region, was not made available for comment.
