We are hearing more from businesses in South Edmonton near the proposed site for a new permanent Hope Mission shelter.<\/p>\n
It comes in the middle of a debate on the facility at City Hall, which is proving to be a contentious issue.<\/p>\n
A public hearing was held Monday on a rezoning application for the site near Argyll Road and 75th Street. Currently, the building is used as a thrift store and a warehouse.<\/p>\n
The Hope Mission is looking to convert some of the space into a permanent 120-bed shelter.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe need for shelter space is real. So we do need more space for people, we also would like to decentralize services,\u201d said Tim Pasma, senior director of the Hope Mission.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast year, for example, we had a 23 per cent increase in the number of people coming to our sites in winter. So we know that that need is real and that we\u2019re seeing more and more people needing to access emergency shelter.\u201d<\/p>\n
During the hearing, a few neighbouring businesses spoke in opposition. They said that with a casino, liquor and cannabis store nearby, this is the wrong place.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor someone trying to stabilize and rebuild their life, accessibility is more than a nearby bus stop. Where are the grocery stores? Where is the pharmacy?\u00a0How accessible are health care, mental health and addiction services,\u201d said Blaine Helliker at the hearing on Monday.<\/p>\n
A home renovation company near the facility says they\u2019ve already dealt with issues involving people living on the streets.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have already experienced serious incidents around our property, whether that\u2019s property damage, break-and-enter, trespassing, or even in some worst cases, we\u2019ve had our business lit on fire,\u201d said Ranvir Singh with Regency Innovations.<\/p>\n
However, another business in the industrial park has a different view.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t believe it\u2019s going to disrupt my business, and I don\u2019t believe it\u2019s going to disrupt anybody\u2019s business,\u201d said Josh Powell, general manager of Loadrite.<\/p>\n
Their location is on the street behind the facility. Powell says with people experiencing homelessness already in the area, a shelter could be a big help.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a problem in this city, but I think sites like this are going to help reduce that presence and going to help the continuation of making progress towards finding housing,\u201d said Powell.<\/p>\n
The public hearing on Monday was postponed until next Tuesday. Councillors say they still have a lot to discuss before they make their decision.<\/p>\n