Efforts to find an interim home for the county’s temporary supportive housing project continue.
The current lease at the Ignatius Centre's Loyola House is set to expire soon and plans to move the initiative to a Delhi Street property on hold due to an appeal.
“We’ve got several irons in the fire. Everything is up in the air,” said Eddie Alton, County of Wellington’s social services administrator. “It’s very active on that file … We’re really chasing this and doing the best we can, but there’s nothing concrete.
“There’s a lot of effort, a lot of time going into this.”
The temporary supportive housing program saw several people experiencing homelessness in the community put up in hotels as emergency shelters during the early part of the pandemic. They were moved to Loyola House at the Ignatius Jesuit Centre last October, courtesy of a one-year lease.
That lease will expire next month.
Roger Yaworski, the centre’s executive director, previously confirmed they intend to reclaim the space, with renovations to follow and plans to offer retreat opportunities there beginning in April.
County officials announced plans earlier this year to purchase the historic building at 65 Delhi St. from the City of Guelph pending rezoning to allow for it to be used as the permanent home of the temporary housing program.
City council endorsed the request in July – approving it for 28 bedroom units with a variety of shared spaces and amenities – but that decision was appealed to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal by a group of area residents known as Delhi Eramosa Neighbourhood Advocates (DENA).
While not opposed to the temporary supportive housing use, DENA representatives previously said their objections largely stem from the quantity of bedrooms to be provided.
“There’s nothing going on at 65 Delhi because of the appeal,” Alton said. “That’s sort of just sitting. And we’re still waiting for details of the appeal. We haven’t got a copy of it yet.”
The appeal was filed 23, an LPAT spokesperson confirmed, though it’s not yet listed on the agency’s website of ongoing matters. No hearing date has been set at this time.
On a per person basis, the cost of the Loyola House lease is about $32 per night, compared to $75/night at the Holiday Inn, Alton said in an update email. Those figure don't include the cost of staff time, food, etc.
“This is why we are working so hard at trying to find a long-term solution as it would provide a stable option with fixed costs and allowed us to maximize the funding,” said Alton. “During COVID we have been very fortunate to receive additional funding from both the federal and provincial governments but we have serious concerns when this funding ends.”
Numerous community partner agencies are helping county officials in the search for an interim solution. Among the options on the table, Alton noted, is a return to the use of hotels and motels.
“We are very appreciative of the hotels working with us and our community partners during COVID to provide a safe and secure place for people to stay,” he said. “Our community partners are being great working with us and we’re all looking for a solution, doing whatever we can.”
