BC HOUSING MUST BE INVESTIGATED over DERA CORRUPTION

Oldtown News
Vancouver, BC

BC HOUSING MUST BE INVESTIGATED over DERA CORRUPTION

Well some of my readers may be wondering whatever happened with the Downtown Eastside Residents Association (DERA) regarding misuse of housing subsidies and the ensuing corruption which was rampantly occuring at DERA.

Here is what I can tell you.

DERA Housing Society is now under a court ordered receiver-general and the executive director Kim Kerr is just slightly out of the picture.

The second in command to Kim Kerr at DERA, Sabrina Druia who kept her mouth shut during this whole time as Housing Manager at DERA has now been appointed the Executive Director of DERA.

In another strange twist, BC Housing signed a confidentiality agreement with DERA on or about May 18, 2010 that no criminal investigation or prosecution will take place.

I would assume that whoever agreed to this agreement needs to be immediately fired even if it was the CEO of BC Housing Mr Shayne Ramsey.

This whole issue of the criminal activities at DERA must be properly investigated by the Vancouver Police Department and further an investigation of BC Housing must be undertaken immediately since any confidentiality agreement signed by BC Housing with DERA now reeks of political interference. Why would BC Housing make such an agreement since it seems the VPD should be the body making the determination of an investigation.

The Minister of Housing Minister Rich Coleman must now assure the public that he is on top of this mess because as we know and which the mainstream press will soon expose there was widespread fraud and misuse of the public's money. Moreover, there was corruption at the highest level of this organization and Mr Coleman needs to state what actions are being taken to ensure these types of criminal acts are prevented in the future. Plus what other steps are being taken by Minister Coleman to ensure the fraudulent activities happening at DERA are not repeated at other DTES organizations.

Step up to the plate Minister Coleman.

Jamie Lee Hamilton
tricia_foxx@yahoo.com