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“It’s not unlike anyone else living in the community. They’re living among people in the complex — the same as they would be in the community,” said Jacqueline Blackwell.

A risk assessment and application process is completed before a person is placed at the Lions complex. Each of the 25 residents is supported by a case manager and an on-site contractor that has been hired by Fraser Health to provide services to its clients at the complex.

Postmedia spoke to two seniors who live at the complex and objected to the influx of people in their 20s and 30s. Neither wanted to give their name for fear of repercussions from their neighbours and complex’s management.

A 65-year-old woman said she felt “duped” after moving into what she thought was a seniors village. Several months ago, she was in the building’s laundry room when a man came in and began kicking the washing machines, she said. He made a lewd comment before she was able to leave.

A 78-year-old man said young people “come and go” from the buildings at all hours of the day and night.

The seniors took their concerns to management last year, as well as to the Langley Seniors Community Action Table. The action group raised the issue at a meeting at Langley Memorial Hospital on Dec. 6, which was attended by representatives from Fraser Health, the Langley Lions Senior Citizen Housing Society and the Langley Senior Resources Society.

According to an email summary of the meeting obtained by Postmedia, the issue of safety at the Lions complex was discussed, including concerns about “mixing ‘at risk’ tenants with the ‘regular’ seniors population.” In response, the group decided to draft a proposal for a tenants’ council at the Lions complex.