A motion to proactively develop a formal safety plan around any new Indwell housing facility received unanimous support during Monday's city council meeting.
The County of Lambton donated a vacant piece of land on George Street to Indwell in June for a supportive housing development, a project that has elicited mixed reactions from community members.
The successful motion introduced by City/County Councillor Bill Dennis directed city staff work with the Sarnia Police Service (SPS) and county staff to develop a formal safety plan. It also asked city staff to negotiate cost sharing with the county for additional security and policing measures.
"A request for a neighbourhood safety plan should be a no brainer," said Dennis.
Indwell submitted a letter to the city in response to Dennis' motion to emphasize its aspiration for safe communities.
"This particular motion assumes that individuals living in supportive and affordable housing are inherently dangerous. In reality, providing people with housing, and supplementing that with appropriate supports, reduces costs to the justice, health, and social service systems," read the letter. "Mandating efforts is seen not only as a bureaucratic response but also enforces a perpetuating stereotype that individuals housed with Indwell are dangerous to their neighbours and that providing an effective homelessness solution increases city costs."
The letter also said members of Indwell have met with SPS Chief Derek Davis, and will continue to do so, to discuss opportunities to support safe and positive communities.
"If Indwell and the county are confident that safety will not be an issue then they should have no issue, both funding the cost thereof and documenting a clear safety and response plan," Dennis said during the council meeting. "This is not a demand, it's a simple and sensible and necessary request for transparency, coordination, and peace of mind for the people who live in this neighbourhood."
A previous motion regarding the Indwell facility failed to receive council support.
Councillor George Vandenberg introduced a motion to have city staff work with county staff to identify an alternative site for supportive housing and offer it to Indwell in exchange for the George Street property.
"Let's open the door, let's have some discussion, find another location because this is a unique neighbourhood and it deserves to stay that way," Vandenberg said.
Councillor Terry Burrell supported Vandenberg's motion.
"I think we definitely need this kind of facility in the city, but I do think the Melrose area, and the George Street area, and obviously the Rainbow Park area... they've taken their lumps," Burrell said.
However, City/County Councillor Chrissy McRoberts said residents are going to take issue regardless of the site's location.
"No one's going to be happy about it," McRoberts said. "I'm not saying any one spot is deserving of this but no one's going to want it."
One delegation was received in favour of Vandenberg's motion. A representative who spoke on behalf of Dr. George Farag suggested other uses for the George Street site, such as a medical hub.
Councillors McRoberts, Brian White, Adam Kilner, Dave Boushy, and Mayor Mike Bradley voted against Vandenberg's motion.
Bradley said Indwell has submitted a planning application, which is being analyzed by staff.
