Mayor Josh Morgan is pushing for the establishment of a temporary emergency shelter to accommodate the rising homeless population in the city before the year’s end. In a memo obtained by CBC News, Mayor Morgan emphasized the need for a “60 micro-modular shelter site” due to the imminent public health and safety risks posed by homelessness. The exact locations for the shelters are yet to be disclosed, but it is emphasized that selected sites should minimize disruption to nearby residential and commercial areas.
The shelters are described as temporary but could potentially last up to two years. Sarah Campbell, from the Ark Aid Mission, commended the mayor’s proactive approach, labeling the plan to open the shelter by December 31 as ambitious yet essential. Mayor Morgan invoked a provision in Ontario’s Municipal Act, granting him the authority to request staff research and act without initial council approval, with plans to seek council endorsement promptly to expedite implementation.
Local frontline agency leaders welcomed the initiative, acknowledging that the mini-shelters would provide immediate relief to current services by sheltering more individuals, although they caution against viewing them as a permanent solution. Chuck Lazenby, the executive director of the Unity Project, highlighted the practicality of mini-shelters for temporary accommodations in a challenging real estate market.
Both Lazenby and Campbell stressed the importance of providing safe and inclusive spaces for individuals with diverse needs, including storage facilities and accommodations for pets. This move signifies Mayor Morgan’s commitment to transitioning more individuals into permanent housing, aiming to avoid past scenarios where emergency shelters had to be hastily arranged during extreme weather conditions.
The proposed shelter site aims to complement existing services, with a continued push for a year-round solution to address homelessness in the community. Lessons learned from past initiatives will inform the implementation of this plan, emphasizing the necessity of controlled access, adequate staffing, and tailored accommodations for individuals experiencing homelessness.
