City residents had their say about a 58-bed facility for homeless Indigenous youth Tuesday night.
Officials spoke to a crowded gym of people at the Boys and Girls Club, explaining the details of the project that they hope to have open by 2021, with construction starting next year.
The project on Junot Avenue beside the Boys and Girls Club was put forward by Ontario Aboriginal Housing Service but will be run in partnership with the Friendship Centre, Métis Nation of Ontario, and Ontario Native Women’s Association.
Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre Executive Director Charlene Baglien says the next step is for city council to approve the zoning for the project in September.
Once the floor was opened for questions, only one person was vocally critical, saying his home had been broken into and claiming the housing would lead to more crime.
Officials pointed to findings from Vancouver published this year, where they say long-term transitional housing led to a decrease in crime in the area.
Another speaker, Benjamin Murray with the mentor group Earthling Collective, says he’s changed his mind about the project.
“I wasn’t sure of the influences in the neighbourhood affecting youth, and then I found out it was going to be pretty much adults [at the facility] anyway. After coming to the meeting and seeing the community aspect, which is what we’re about with Earthling Collective, I just see this as a tool fighting against those negative influences.”
Many of the speakers said they supported the housing, emphasized the need for such services, or asked how they could help it move forward.
Officials encouraged supporters to speak at the September council meeting and let the city know they want the project to succeed.
Baglien says she’s excited by the response.
“I feel like this project is going to go forward. I feel like we have the support of the community, I feel like we have the support of the city. So, yes, I’m leaving today after the meeting’s over, ecstatic.”
There were some concerns from some speakers about how the facility would function and how residents would be selected.
Baglien notes they will address those and other questions brought up Tuesday night and at two previous meetings.
