The cabin-style transitional housing program decided on in January will move forward on the corner lot of Hyslop Street and Park Street in Chatham.
On Monday, Chatham-Kent Council unanimously approved the location, the $500,000 budget for pre-site development work, and permission for administration to hire a project manager for the Emergency Transitional Cabin Program.
"With Council's approval, Municipal staff will be launching this important housing program as quickly as possible," said Josh Myers, CK's Director of Housing Services.
"This program will give CK residents who are experiencing homelessness the opportunity to heal, learn new skills and be connected with other supports that are needed to change their future. The Municipality is taking steps, with the help of our partners, to improve the programs that we deliver and ensure that they have a lasting and positive impact on our community," Myers added.
While the need for the transitional housing program and the associated services was never in dispute, the location of the project did cause some concern for one community partner, as the land had been earmarked for the Pet and Wildlife Rescue (P.A.W.R.).
Myriam Armstrong, the operations manager for P.A.W.R., brought her concerns forward to council before the vote.
"I want to be very clear that I am in support of creating innovative ways to restore dignity and create life-changing opportunities for anyone experiencing homelessness," Armstrong began.
She said she doesn't believe the tight timeline of 12 months to get the project off the ground is enough for it to be "operational or successful." She added that since a communal building for bathrooms, laundry, and cafeteria services will need to be built alongside the 50 individual cabins, it makes more sense to put the cabins in the parking area of an already established building.
"What I really want to pass along tonight is the immense stress that my staff is now feeling," Armstrong said. "Many of our volunteers are high school students and families who will now have to worry about what our potential new neighbours will bring with them. Not only is security a concern, but garbage and discarded needles can easily be tossed over our fence."
She added that people walking through her organization's property at all hours to reach nearby conveniences and guests of residents finding shelter on P.A.W.R. land are also big concerns.
"Security will be present in the cabin area but security on our property, which should be a safe welcoming space for staff, visitors, and volunteers alike, will absolutely be compromised. We do not have a budget for 24/7 security or monitoring of the entire property to keep everyone safe," Armstrong explained.
Many of Armstrong's concerns were addressed during the meeting. Both Myers and CK Chief Administrative Officer Michael Duben assured that before concrete plans are made there will be consultation with neighbours, including P.A.W.R., to make everyone on both sides of the transitional housing feel safe.
"I believe we can support the immediate neighbourhood with any tenants that would be accessing our program," Myers said.
In terms of Armstrong's concerns about there not being enough research done about making a tiny home community, Myers countered that they're not creating a community.
"It's not trying to build a community there, where people will call this their forever home," he explained. "We want to provide them with the life skills that they need to move forward."
The location, within Chatham proper, was decided on following a months-long search that included 25 different potential locations. The Park Street location meets important criteria including:
already Municipally owned, reducing the cost to taxpayers
250 m from a convenience store
350 m from a bus stop
1.1 km from Outreach for Hunger
1 km from a laundromat
1.3 km from R.O.C.K. Missions
1.6 km from Hope Haven
1.9 km and 2.5 km from two grocery stores
The municipality believes that while this project will not end homelessness or issues associated with the homelessness crisis, it will improve and change the lives of people who are struggling.
The Emergency Transitional Cabin Program is one part of a developing multi-pronged strategy to increase community supports that are lacking in the area.
Chatham-Kent's current homelessness program at Victoria Park Place will be decommissioned as soon as the new transitional housing project is built and fully functional.
More information about the program can be found on the dedicated Let's Talk Chatham-Kent page.