Despite opposition from neighbours and some councillors, Chatham-Kent council has given the green light to a new location for a temporary emergency shelter.
The shelter will be located at Chatham Banquet Hall and Conference Centre on Merritt Avenue. An emergency shelter has been in place at the John D. Bradley Centre since April.
Neighbours were opposed to moving the shelter to a residential area across the street from Winston Churchill Public School.
Chatham-Kent will have a two-year lease on the Merritt Avenue building.
Polly Smith, director of employment and social services, said a temporary shelter was developed earlier this year due to because there were not enough motel rooms to house those who have been left homeless during the COVID-19 pandemic, also noting there has been more visible homelessness in Chatham-Kent.
Smith said the shelter is a temporary solution and they hope to blend into the neighbourhood as best they can. Smith said on average about 50 people come through the emergency shelter at the Bradley Centre every day.
Councillor Carmen McGregor said wherever a shelter is located, nobody is going to be happy with the result.
“Looking through the report this is a really good scenario for us for the next couple years as we work through and help the homeless in our community and those who are struggling,” McGregor said.
Chatham Coun. Marjorie Crew said there is a fear with homeless people because they act and look different, but they’re human beings.
“There is no good answer for this. The thing is it’s ugly, it’s messy and no one wants to deal with it. We need to take care of our people,” Crew said. “I think we’re doing the right thing.”