Proposed Vanier shelter can be 'good neighbour,' Mission exec says

Community opposition to homeless shelters is often rooted in fear, when in fact they can be "good neighbours," the head of The Ottawa Mission told a citycommittee mulling a proposal for a 350-bed facilityin VanierFriday.

Peter Tilley, executive director of the Waller Street shelter, made his pitch to city councillorson the third and final day of public delegations on the controversial proposal by the Salvation Army.

It will be so much more than a homeless shelter.- Peter Tilley, The Ottawa Mission

"It will be so much more than a homeless shelter," Tilley said, pointing to the myriadservices planned for the new location at 333 Montreal Rd.

"We often get that reaction. When people come in [to The Mission] for a tour they often see the fear barrier goes down and the recognition of the services provided goes up."

Tilley said The Mission, which has 220 beds, has become a community hub over the years, and has formedpartnerships in the community, including an education program for homeless clients at the University of Ottawa, andclothing and food drives organizedby tenants at nearby condo buildings.

"If you look to our community I think many would say we've been a very good neighbourfor many years," he said.

"And I think if some were to step into the future in two or three years from now and stand across the street from the Salvation Army ... I thinkthey would have to agree that it will be a good site as well."

Others who spoke Friday, including members of the Indigenous community, raised safety concerns.

Former parliamentary budget officer opposed toshelter

Former parliamentary budget officer Kevin Page, whomade a name for himself crunching numbers for federal politicians tasked with making difficult decisions, has added his voice to the chorus calling on the City of Ottawa to nix a proposal by the Salvation Army fora350-bed shelter in Vanier.

Page was among the dozens of speakers scheduled to address the city's planning committee Friday, thethird and final day of public delegations on thecontroversial shelter proposal. After the committee votes, likelylate Friday night, the issue will go to city council for final approval.

The Salvation Army is hoping to concentrate a number of the programs and services it offers at the new location on Montreal Road.

But Page, who co-chairs the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, said research shows creating so-called mega-sheltersis an ineffective way to combat homelessness.

"I don't think there's any evidence to support that [mega-shelters have] a positive impact," Page said.

Federal strategy coming

Page noted the federal government will be releasing its national housing strategy next week, and said the Salvation Army's proposal may not fit into that plan.

"Ifwe take this decision as it's written up right now in terms of developing this mega-shelter in Vanier, Ottawa risks falling behind," Page cautioned the committee.

The Salvation Army would do better to offer clients both treatment and help finding housing at the same time, along the lines of the housing first model, Page said, because that creates more economically diverse, socially cohesive neighbourhoods.

Page suggested planners go back to the drawing board.

"If the rightthing to do, based on all the evidence, takes us down a different path in terms of dealing with chronic homelessness, episodic homelessness, people with mental health issues then we should follow that path," he said after speaking to the committee.

Contentious file

The Salvation Army's proposal for the 350-bed facility on Montreal Roadis the most contentious file to come to the planning committee in recent memory.

The facility would add 120 more beds than the Salvation Army offers at its current shelter. It would include acourtyard for recreation and a cafwhere participants in the charity'slife skills program could work.

Community and family services including emergency food, clothing and transportation help are also planned for the new facility.

Some community members have taken issue with the shelter's potential effect on the surrounding neighbourhood, and worry about a possible increase in crime, andalcohol and drug use.