Shelter Plans Scrapped in St. Catharines

When Cathy Link picked up her phone on Wednesday morning, she was shocked to hear Ontario Premier Doug Ford on the line.

She was even more surprised when he informed her that the province had decided to cancel plans for an emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness in her neighborhood in St. Catharines, Ont.

“I think I even let out a scream,” she told , expressing her disbelief that the premier was calling her directly with what she viewed as good news.

Link lives near Bunting and Dunkirk roads, just south of the Garden City Skyway, and has been vocal about her concerns regarding Niagara’s regional government’s plan to place a shelter on a vacant lot at 154 Bunting Road.

The region needed to establish a new shelter in St. Catharines before year-end since its current lease at a temporary location on Riordon Street is set to expire. Regional officials have also pointed out that such facilities are vital for helping unhoused individuals find safe and stable housing.

However, during city council and regional committee meetings in July, some residents nearby argued that the shelter would lead to problems like vandalism, littering, and drug users leaving dirty syringes in Douglas Park, which is diagonally across from the proposed site.

Children’s playground nearby

“People have picnics there, kids play on the playground, and we always have baseball tournaments there,” said Link. “It’s always busy.”

“I was worried about the kids. They’d lose their safety zone. To me it was a bad choice.”

Link had texted Ford with those concerns using a cell number Coun. Jackie Lindal provided for residents to reach out about the proposed site.

“He’s been replying ever since and he’s been keeping me updated,” she mentioned.

Then on Wednesday morning, Ford called again.

“He said they’re still looking into it and he’s trying to see what he can do,” she explained. “Ten minutes later he called me [again] and said the lease has been pulled and it’s not happening. He said, ‘it’s done.’.....

Shelter services ‘essential,’ region says

The region confirmed in a statement to on Wednesday that negotiations for leasing the Bunting Road site have ended.

This leaves them still searching for another location before year-end.

“Niagara Region remains committed to securing an appropriate shelter site in St. Catharines and will continue working with local municipalities, community partners, service providers and other levels of government to support a safe, well-managed housing-focused shelter,” housing services director Cameron Banach stated in his announcement.Niagara’s regional government had hoped to lease this site south of the Garden City Skyway on Bunting Road for an emergency shelter until negotiations were halted by the province on Wednesday (Paul Forsyth/CBC)City staff looked at 190 potential sites within St. Catharines but none met all necessary criteria; these included being situated far enough from schools while remaining accessible via public transit, community services commissioner Henri Koning noted during a regional committee meeting held back in July.The region is striving to identify an appropriate spot that satisfies both clients’ needs as well as those of surrounding communities; however this task has proven difficult according Banach.”Shelter services are essential for supporting people experiencing homelessness or housing instability including seniors youth individuals families” he remarked adding they provide places where folks can stay safely while linking them up with housing healthcare additional support systems.Once they finalize a location they’ll share details promptly with residents businesses service providers partners within their communities Banach assured.Councillor Lindal expressed encouragement toward constituents contacting Ford believing Bunting Road adjacent area slated for twinning work along skyway represented one most unsuitable spots designated thus far considering available assistance close downtown typically frequented by vulnerable populations soup kitchens Start Me Up Niagara provides resources programs aimed aiding those facing poverty unemployment mental health issuesDouglas Park featuring active ball diamond playground located diagonally opposite former proposed emergency shelter area situated Bunting Road(Paul Forsyth/CBC)

“I thought it was cruel putting it there,” remarked Lindal.” You’re placing it smack dab amidst construction zones away from crucial supports.”

Link who also felt concerned over potential drawbacks created challenges users relying upon shelters expressed appreciation toward Ford’s efforts remain engaged communicating regularly throughout weeks letting know directly when lease discussions came halt while informing neighbors outcome situation involved </bs></bs></bs>.     </tt>Source link