Some residents living near a proposed permanent supportive housing project are raising red flags not only about the project itself, but the process being followed and fear of reprisal for those who ask questions.
“We’re not opposed to helping people who are homeless. My god, it’s freezing out there, they need to get off the street,” said Donna Haskett, one of several people behind a petition that takes issue with the project on Shelldale Crescent, in the Onward Willow neighbourhood. “They need help, there’s no question, but there’s a daycare and a public school and a youth program and immigrants and newcomers that are all struggling here.
“This is not the right place.”
The online petition had 226 signatures as of Friday afternoon.
The proposal is for a four-storey, 30-unit permanent supportive housing building on currently vacant land neighbouring Willow Road Public School, Willowdale Child Care & Learning centre and Shelldale Family Gateway.
It’s being spearheaded by Kindle Communities, in partnership with Skyline Group of Companies, which plans to donate the land, and Guelph Community Health Centre (GCHC), which offers services out of Shelldale Family Gateway.
Proponents previously announced leases would be held by tenants – residency will target those who are chronically homeless or highly vulnerable – with no limit on length of stay and there will be an option for rental assistance linked to each unit.
Also planned is on-site staffing that can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Haskett has many questions about the project, including what that 24-hour staffing looks like, and is frustrated by what she and others perceive as a lack of public involvement.
“There’s a lot of vague information that’s been sent out,” she said ahead of two public open houses being announced.
Fellow petition organizer Clayton Gawne feels proponents could be “a little more clear” about how the facility will operate, whether residents will have criminal records, and if so, what kinds of crimes have they been convicted of.
“All these are questions that arise because of the proximity to the daycare, the school, the playground,” he said. “It has the potential to be very dangerous for children, who I consider to be the most vulnerable among us.”
Kindle Communities will host open houses on Dec. 14 and 15 regarding the permanent supportive housing project. Both are set to run from 5:45 to 7:15 p.m. at Shelldale Centre (20 Shelldale Cres.).
In a video announcing the project, posted on the Kindle Communities website in October, Mayor Cam Guthrie praised the initiative. This has led many people in the neighbourhood to believe required zoning and official plan amendments needed for the project to go ahead are a foregone conclusion, Haskett said.
“To have the non-profit sector, healthcare and the private sector all come together to make this happen is unbelievable,” Guthrie said in the video. “I can’t wait to put a shovel in the ground and to cut the ribbon when it’s finally open.”
In response to those concerns, Guthrie told GuelphToday he’s excited about any permanent supportive housing project in the city, no matter it’s location, and it would be “not accurate at all” to think that means approvals are a guarantee.
“There’s 13 votes on council and I’m one,” he said. “The excitement I may exude doesn’t stop the planning process, zoning process and public engagement that would need to occur on this or on any type of project, whether that be a commercial strip mall or infill of a house or supportive housing.”
No zoning or official plan amendment applications have been filed with the city at this time, city planning staff confirmed.
Raechelle Devereaux, executive director of the Guelph Community Health Centre, said in a written statement that "the Onward Willow neighbourhood is a vibrant community that is ideal for permanent supportive housing, close to community services, health care, grocery stores any many other daily living amenities. Like any active community, the neighbourhood is also home to a school, day care, businesses and residents.
"We are confident that the community members living in our permanent supportive housing program will be good neighbours. We are also confident in the quality of the wraparound care and support that the Guelph Community Health Centre and our many partners will provide within the program itself. Permanent Supportive Housing means residents of our program will have access to staff members 24 hours a day, and other supports that meet their needs."
Haskett and others are planning to address council when these matters come up for a public meeting and would “absolutely” speak with proponents to learn more about what’s planned.
However, she notes, some people are afraid to ask questions or raise concerns about the plan because they live in Skyline buildings, work for or receive support from GHCH. The area has a significant newcomer population who depend on those organizations and “they’re scared” to speak up.
