Sarnia opts not to pursue city-sanctioned homeless encampment idea

Sarnia city council has decided not to pursue a councillor's idea to set up a permanent sanctioned homeless encampment. But the councillor says her proposal is sparking more dialogue about how to help the most vulnerable.

Chrissy McRobertssays it would be good to have a dedicated spot where peopleare welcome to go this winter.

She's thinking especially of those she describes as being at the "bottom tier" who choose to "live rough" because of addictions and mental health issues.

The proposal hadbeen criticized by Lambton County's general manager of social services.

McRoberts says the idea was to establish a tent city where all of the city's social services could be acted upon in one place.

"What do we do about the people that are on the bottom rung in Sarnia?"They're spread throughout the city," she said.

"They're living in tents. It's no longer hiding. They are coming right out and sleeping in doorways of businesses."

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If a sanctioned encampment is not the answer for homelessness in Sarnia, what is?

Homeless encampments, she says, could potentially provide a level of calmness to the people in them before tackling their traumas, including addiction.

"Living in tents in one area at least, could have helped us locate these folks to make sure that every morning they're waking up and that we can kind of when a storm comes along, hopefully get donations to them, like sleeping bags and clothing and medical attention."

According to McRoberts, despite being shot down by the city, she believes the conversation surrounding homelessness and housing is being taken more seriously by everyone in the community.

"Before it was a NIMBYism environment and now they're actually coming up with ideas. What we need is money."

She plans to bring this up again at the next Lambton County council meeting.

Residents speak out against Sarnia tent city proposal

Sarnia resident Bev MacDougall says she's lived near the downtown for more than 40 years and sees the "hardship and suffering" every day amongst the homeless population.

However, she doesn't think a sanctioned homeless encampment in the city is the right approach.

"We should not add to hardship experienced by these citizens, by directing them into an uncontrolled environment within adequate resources to meet their safety and security needs," MacDougall told Sarnia council on Monday.

She says over time her area has become hyper loaded with "troubled people" who are not getting the help they need causing undue suffering for them and the rest of the community who all want safety, security and stability.

"Listen to the unhoused and what they want, which is what we all want. A place where they can lock their door, where they and their possessions can be safe and they can live out of the elements."

Sharon Docherty lives near a park in Sarnia and believes a centralized tent city won't get rid of other unsanctioned ones scattered across the city.

"There will be those who don't want to be part of it and those living rough for one reason or another, not accessing the resources for indoor shelter," she told council.

Sarnia shelter operator doesn'tsupport idea

The executive director of Sarnia's main homeless shelter did not support the tent city idea brought forward.

Myles Vanni, who runs Inn of the Good Shepherd, says from his experience it's better and safer not to have homeless people live outside.

"The services, the supports, the weather, whether it's laundry, whether it's showering, whatever, just aren't there," he said.

"We dabbled a little bit, tried allowing some people to tent at our lodge and at the inn, and it didn't go well, in terms of behaviours and spread. It often brings more harm to the individuals because of issues around drug abuse, violence, aggression, assaults against women, trafficking."

Sarnia has seen a "significant" rise in drug addiction and use over the past few years, according to Vanni, and continues to wait for a detox centre to be opened.

He says many people who are homeless prefer being outside when the weather cooperates instead of relegated to smaller regulated spaces like the dormitory style shelter they offer with 10 to 15 beds per room.

"It's clear for folks that we see with mental health issues that having a number of people in close proximity is difficult for them. Then for folks, particularly some really hardcore users, they don't want to be in the dorm. They don't want to be in the shelter because of the rules around not using."

Vanni says the city's shelter's are normally at or near capacity of around 100 beds.

He adds he's looking forward to longer-term solutions such as new affordable housing units.