Property Manager in Oshawa Faces Tough Times

A property manager in downtown Oshawa is worried about losing her family business, which is located across from a non-profit organization that assists homeless individuals. This concern comes amid persistent problems on her property, such as drug use, vandalism, and public urination.

Lord Simcoe Place on Simcoe Street S. has been part of Cindy Malachowski’s family for many years. However, she claims the building is losing tenants and experiencing its highest vacancy rate in around 55 years.

“We had one paralegal service leave, saying, ‘We love the building, you’re a great landlord, but we watch people urinate outside our window and watch people shoot up,’” she explained.

Malachowski’s situation highlights wider concerns throughout downtown Oshawa, where Mayor Dan Carter has noted a high concentration of social services compared to other areas in Durham Region.

While businesses report issues with individuals accessing these services, experts point out there are limited shelter options available across Ontario. Therefore, more efforts are needed to tackle the root causes of homelessness.

Her building sits right across from Back Door Mission, a non-profit organization housed in a former church. The mission supports Mission United-a program that started during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues through a partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Durham.

Nathan Gardner, the executive director, mentions that the mission has adjusted its programs recently to better accommodate its clients and staff while considering community impact.

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Since the pandemic began, Malachowski notes she often sees individuals outside her building who have passed out or are aggressive. She frequently discovers used needles on her property and regularly deals with vandalism as well as broken windows.

“We have to wash certain parts of the building sometimes twice a day because there’s so much urine, vomit, feces,” she said.

“There’s really nothing that surprises us anymore. We’ve had people use our flower gardens as toilets.”

According to Durham Regional Police data provided by Malachowski’s records over the last five years there have been approximately 25 arrests resulting in charges at her building.
(Courtesy of Cindy Malachowski)

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In May, Carter declared a public health crisis in Oshawa due to increasing violence and unlawful behavior linked to homelessness along with mental health and addiction challenges reaching critical levels.

“My community does not deserve to live in fear every day,” Carter remarked at that time.

The Nonprofit Claims Changes Have Been Made

Malachowski previously worked for CMHA; she believes Back Door Mission hasn’t effectively managed Mission United since people get turned away when it reaches capacity-and then they end up on her property.

The Back Door Mission nonprofit agency operates inside a former church located at 66 Simcoe St. S.(Rochelle Raveendran/CBC)

Gardner stated he takes complaints from local businesses seriously but declined further comment regarding specific issues.

The mission has made significant changes recently according to Gardner.

He mentioned that over two years they have increased security presence outside their facility; put up signage warning against trespassing; ended most outdoor programming gradually; plus they’re working towards improving access to restrooms during daytime hours.

“We always strive toward minimizing negative impacts while keeping our core services intact,” he shared.

The Mission United program just began transitioning from crisis response mode-which was necessary during pandemic conditions-toward community-based offerings now including new eight-week programs focused around homelessness support groups alongside addiction coping strategies.”

Nathan Gardner executive director of Back Door Mission says they’ve implemented major improvements lately like enhancing security teams & putting up no trespassing signs outdoors.(CBC)

During this recent year-long transition period Gardner admitted they “did lose focus” on meaningful engagement efforts-something he’d like prioritized moving forward

When asked if he feels his mission is unfairly held accountable concerning wider homelessness issues throughout Durham region he responded stating their organization “bears our fair share responsibility stemming from everything done henceforth.”

He added “the solution doesn’t lie solely within us but instead requires collaborative dialogue among various stakeholders involved.”

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Last year Malachowski reached out directly via letter addressed towards Michael Tibollo who served then associate minister regarding matters surrounding Mission United program implementation concerns

A representative from Ministry responded claiming plans underway aimed establishing care systems focusing specifically upon treatment recovery pathways through launching multiple hubs addressing both Homelessness Addiction Recovery Treatment needs-including one planned site designated within Oshawaville itself.

Thirty-one different signatories supported Malachoski’s letter including Parmac Relationship Marketing Ltd Wilson Furniture businesses both situated downtown not facing directly opposite Backdoor missions locationWATCH | An outreach center initiated affordable housing project earlier this year:

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Louise Parkes president firm noted how mismatched current placement offered about local businesses existing therein contrary necessity dictated service required offer.

“While they may provide essential functions assisting needy populations- location simply isn’t ideal contextually based surroundings.” Parkes noted thoughtfully.

Gardner replied asserting services must be positioned where greatest demand exists although acknowledging alternative sites assessed continuously citywide contextually speaking suitable alternatives explored extensively already underway too!.

Nick Cristiano assistant professor Trent University focusing policing-community wellbeing argues removing spaces used congregation merely displaces residents failing address deeper underlying factors altogether..Darryl Sherman president Wilson Furniture revealed knowledge many nearby stores opted relocate elsewhere citing employee safety concerns respectively.(Rochelle Raveendran/CBC)

Both Parkes Sherman reiterated urgent attention required targeting these fundamental aspects such increasing affordable housing opportunities alongside recovery-oriented initiatives overall supporting broader spectrum change ultimately leading towards success enabling positive future outcomes benefiting entire communities rather than isolated segments only suffering disproportionately presently!  

They observe less significant impacts within respective firms unlike noticeable effects felt heavily impacting Mlachoski personally causing tremendous stress levels enduring continued pressures mounting daily affecting morale considerably still remaining hopeful amidst turmoil nonetheless…

Sherman echoed sentiments reflecting worsening conditions attributed ongoing crises evident escalating since pandemic emerged leading many customers unwilling visit downtown areas anymore than previously seen before situation deteriorated significantly however suggesting proactive measures introduced soon possible might spark revival atmosphere desired together fostering safe environments again inviting shoppers back once more revitalizing spirit prosperous cities overall thriving economies everywhere!”

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