Downtown residents turn up to support homeless shelter

GREG YOUNGER-LEWIS

Iqaluit’s homeless shelter staff and supporters claimed a victory in their campaign to move their services to a more spacious site in a downtown neighbourhood, after only one nay-sayer showed at their open house last week.

Salvation Army staff for the Oqota shelter toured more than a dozen guests around building 778 in the Lower Base area on May 28, to see whether nearby residents supported their proposed move.

Every visitor, except for one, signed a petition backing the staff’s plan to take over the site.

Coun. Nancy Gillis said she was disappointed more people didn’t come, but considers the absentees to be supporters of the proposed shelter.

“I’m a firm believer that if you don’t come out and voice your opinion, then you’re in favour,” Gillis said. “And if you don’t give these people a home, where are they going to be then? People should have an opportunity to have a roof over their heads.”

The new building would allow the shelter to accommodate up 20 men, instead of offering only 14 beds at their current building, down by the break-water.

Richard Rodrigue, a shelter worker, said the extra space will make the men feel better about themselves.

Their success, however, will also depend on support from other residents.

“Some people have said they don’t want [homeless] in their neighbourhood,” Rodrigue said. “They say that they should be out in the industrial area. This shelter will give them something to be proud of.

“If you push them in a corner and treat them like a reject, then that’s how they’ll feel.”

Iqaliut city council’s planning and engineering committee will revisit the shelter proposal on June 7.

The city has already set several restrictions for the new homeless shelter, if their permit application is successful.

City staff said no bunkbeds will be allowed, in order to cap the influx of residents.

They said staff will have to keep the property area clean, as well as the building, to “ensure garbage or other unsightly materials do not accumulate on the property.”

The shelter can only have four parking spots.

And, the shelter isn’t allowed to provide a hot meal service, similar to a soup kitchen, despite their sizeable cooking area.

Garry Jones, manager of the shelter, suggested the open house increased support from the community because it created a connection between the homeless shelter and local residents.

“It’s improved communication,” he said. “I don’t want to keep anything from their eyes.”