Transitional Housing: Addressing Community Fears - The Seeker Newsmagazine Cornwall

According to homelesshub.ca the types of homelessness are:

Unsheltered: living on the streets or in places not intended for human habitation.
Emergency Sheltered: overnight shelters and shelters for those impacted by family violence.
Provisionally Accommodated: temporary or lacking security of tenure (couch surfing).
At Risk: people whose current economic and/or housing situation is precarious or does not meet public health and safety standards.

For most of us, being homeless is unthinkable.

Imagine a life where your access to basic needs such as nutritious food, clean water, hygiene facilities and safe shelter becomes a daily struggle that leads to malnutrition, harsh weather exposure, and increased illness.

For the homeless, this uncertainty and stress leads to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. Adults often grapple with a sense of failure and helplessness, and children are at a higher risk for emotional and behavioural problems as well as disrupted education and development.

People experiencing homelessness face stigma and isolation, which can hinder their ability to seek and receive support.

Cornwall’s homeless

In 2020-2021 as COVID-19 installed itself and rental prices soared I heard about people living in tents because they couldn’t pay rent. 2023 saw the encampments blossom locally and Phyllis Sarault’s homelessness protest (August 1, 2023) informed the average Cornwallite that there was a significant problem. Although a Winter Housing Solution was well underway, the unfortunate death of Diane Hebert thrust more attention to the desperate need for this solution.

Massey Commons is part of the solution undertaken by the city and yet some neighbourhood residents are dead set against it. Why?

The Massey Commons Concerned Citizens group:

When I spoke to Angie Baker – their spokesperson, she cited several reasons for the group’s misgivings. A lack of public consultation, the cost and location/safety issues.

I discussed these concerns in a recent conversation with Mellissa Morgan and Lisa Smith from the Housing Department. Note: all quotes are from Mellissa or Lisa unless otherwise indicated.

Public information:

The city announced its decision to buy and renovate Massey Place for transitional housing in late 2023. Mellissa confirmed that the school was in decent condition and was always going to be the best option.

The City held a public information session on February 22, 2024, to showcase plans and address potential misinformation. While the City does not typically hold “public consultations” concerning housing developments, one was held in this instance to provide accurate information about this project and to answer any questions regarding misinformation. In May they will release a long-term development plan to showcase future planning for building across the city and the counties.

Financials first draft:

Work: renovate to make (9) 1-bedroom units, gym for office/programming space, respite space.

Costs: Initial budget @$2,254,000 + cost of 20 sleeping cabins

$587,000 for purchase of building & land.
$202,324 to architects for site plans and architectural & engineering services
Leaving reno budget of approx. $1,464,676 (*not including 20 sleeping cabins)

Financials second draft:

Work: Renovate to make 24 interior units (combination of micro, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments). Respite space will be used as a resource space for activities programming & drop-in programs. The Housing Rapid Response Team will have offices on-site.

Costs: Add $ 2M to $ 5M – part of which had been allocated for the sleeping cabins.

Funding comes from:

Budget
Rents collected
Mortgage or loans
Provincial programs
Federal Programs
Municipal taxes

Ontario municipalities DO have a mandate from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to house the homeless. Doing nothing is much more expensive.

Security concerns:

Andrew Kellogg wrote an LTE to the Seaway News in reaction to MCCC’s concerns.

The last few years have been worrisome to many, and we are still in upheaval mode and as a result, people are hyper-cautious.

When I asked Angie Baker to name the MCCC fears, she was unwilling to “put words in their mouth[s]” but conceded that some had fears of drugs and fears for young girls in the area. “…we can’t sit here and say exactly, “Well, we’re afraid of this, and this, and this” because we’re only speculating,” but we ask a question[s]”.

Speaking of the nature of the project, she asserted: “It’s a glorified shelter to house the people who are currently homeless.”

This is not a shelter or a hostel. The word “transitional” seems to breed a lot of confusion. This building will house individuals and families with kids. Residents will stay 6 months to 4 years depending on the support they need and housing availability. The Housing Rapid Response Team will work from the building to help people “navigate their lives” to be ready for permanent housing. Tenants will have leases and pay rent geared to income.

People must have roots in the SD&G area and be on the by-name list to qualify for transitional housing. Many will have been followed by the housing and social services department for years. “We want to be good neighbours and as such, take the security of our residents and the community seriously, as we do with all community housing.”

“Many people on that list were working and just couldn’t afford the rent. We had people who suffered traumatic events in their lives that have put them in that situation. This doesn’t mean that they are harmful to the community. Society must stop stereotyping people who experience homelessness. The face of homelessness has changed, and you could be homeless in your neighbourhood.”

Ultimately chronic homelessness is bad for the homeless and for society as a whole. We are left with simple decisions: fix it or turn our backs on fellow human beings. If we, as a supposedly caring society, can turn our backs on others it is a signal to each of us that if anything happens to us, there is no real safety blanket.