Now that an emergency homeless shelter in Chatham has been approved by council, the next task is to give neighbourhood residents peace of mind and more information as the transition begins.
The municipality is hosting two public information sessions on the location of the shelter at the former Victoria Park public school at 185 Murray Street. The forums will be held at Studio One at the Chatham Cultural Centre on March 29, 2022 and April 6, 2022 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. each night.
“We want residents in the area to be able to come to the meeting, provide input and ask questions about how the shelter will operate,” said Polly Smith, Director of Employment and Social Services. “We understand that the issue is moving quite rapidly, and we want to make sure people have the facts.”
The municipality’s emergency shelter beds program at the Travelodge ends May 31, 2022, leaving the homeless population with no place to go after that date.
Chatham-Kent council approved the relocation of the beds at its meeting on Monday night after 27 deputations against the move.
During the meeting, Councillor Mary Clare Latimer called on the municipality to be proactive instead of reactive in supporting the neighbourhood and suggested better lighting and a stronger neighbourhood watch as ways to ease neighbourhood fears.
Councillor Michael Bondy also wanted the public consultation complete before a vote on the shelter on Monday night, but he was shot down because of concerns that time is tight and people would be left sleeping on the streets come June if council didn't move quickly.
"There are endless questions that have not been answered," said Bondy. "We've had a long time to do this yet here we are at the eleventh hour."
General Manager of Community Human Services April Rietdyk said the municipality wants to be a good neighbour and wants to answer as many questions as possible.
The public sessions will be moderated and have several municipal panelists.
A background sheet about the shelter will be available at each session.
A proposal to expand Hope Haven in downtown Chatham was derailed earlier this month after concerns were raised by downtown business owners about crime and drug use by homeless people.
Hope Haven said it will continue to operate at 183 Wellington Street West in Chatham.
