B.C.’s Official Opposition calls for changes to supportive housing following CBC investigation into death
British Columbia’s Official Opposition Calls for Overhaul of Supportive Housing Following Tragic Incident
In the wake of a disturbing incident where the body of a tenant in Surrey’s Foxglove supportive housing building was not discovered for 11 days, British Columbia’s Official Opposition is demanding significant changes to the province’s approach to supportive housing. Claire Rattée, the B.C. Conservative critic for mental health and addictions, has called for increased access to drug treatment and sober living facilities, stating that the current system amounts to “warehousing addiction.”
The tragic case involved Diane Chandler, who passed away from an overdose in her room on April 20, 2024. Despite multiple wellness checks signed off by staff indicating that Chandler was alive, her body was not found until May 1, 2024. Critical incident reports obtained by CBC News revealed that staff had mistakenly identified another resident as Chandler. It was only after discovering Chandler’s body that they found the other tenant deceased as well.
Chandler’s children, Tyler and Carley Gibbs, were never informed of their mother’s passing by B.C. Housing. They only learned about the delay in finding her body through the cremation service and later through the coroner’s report. Tyler Gibbs expressed his disappointment with the province, stating that his mother deserved better.
B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon acknowledged the shortcomings in Chandler’s case and announced that wellness checks would now be conducted every 24 hours in all supportive housing facilities across the province. However, Rattée believes that the issue goes beyond wellness checks and highlights the need for a shift in the way addiction is addressed in supportive housing.
A Pattern of Neglect
This is not an isolated incident. Another heartbreaking story from 2017 involved Cyndie Richards’ son Shawn, whose body was not discovered at a RainCity Housing facility in Vancouver for three days. Despite promises from a manager to increase the frequency of wellness checks, Richards believes not enough has been done to prevent similar tragedies.
Rattée emphasizes the urgent need for expanded treatment and mental health services in supportive housing. She advocates for facilities that are completely sober or, if a mixed model is preferred, ensuring that treatment options are readily available. She stresses the importance of supporting individuals transitioning out of treatment to prevent them from falling back into harmful habits.
The heartbreaking cases of Diane Chandler and Shawn Richards serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those struggling with addiction in supportive housing. The province must take swift and decisive action to prevent further tragedies and provide the necessary support for individuals seeking recovery.
