Safety concerns flare up at Iqaluit low-barrier shelter meeting
20 people attend information session, project update hosted by Uquutaq Society directors
Kevin Eaton, Uquutaq Society’s incoming executive director speaks at a meeting Monday in Iqaluit about the organization’s upcoming projects. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)
Uquutaq Society’s executive directors attempted to address safety concerns from neighbours about the organization’s future low-barrier shelter during an information meeting Monday night.
Approximately 20 people attended the meeting at the Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum where incoming executive director Kevin Eaton and outgoing executive director Laurel McCorriston gave updates on some of the organization’s upcoming projects.
The low-barrier shelter is an overnight service that gives people a place to stay for the night, even if they are intoxicated.
Construction is expected to get underway on that project soon, located on the former site of Nunavut Country Food at 158 Nipisa Street. It is expected to be completed in 2026.
Some people expressed concerns the shelter will result in more people drinking or doing drugs in the area, an increase in nightly disturbances and children being exposed to that behaviour and potential violence.
Eaton explained that the new 44-bed facility will replace Uquutaq’s current 17-bed low-barrier shelter at Building 534 on the Road to Apex.
It will operate around the clock as a warming centre, with security staff, showers, laundry machines and designated smoking area.
Also, it will include an additional 12 transitional housing beds for “supported independent living,” Eaton said.
“Participants in this transitional housing program will work with Uquutaq Society for up to two years, providing a variety of community, health, [and] housing services and providing support,” he said.
After Eaton’s presentation, five people asked questions, saying they want certainty about their neighbourhood’s safety.
Kids play on the street in that area and frequent a playground next to the future shelter’s location.
Some said the RCMP is often called to the neighbourhood, and that people are worried more incidents will occur when the shelter opens.
Eaton responded, saying removing “desperation points” by providing food and shelter services has a positive impact on communities.
“People aren’t having to go steal, and go break into whatever it is they’re looking to break into, to make [sure] their basic needs get met,” Eaton said.
“Where the thinking a development in a certain neighborhood would bring in unwanted behaviors and unwanted activities, [it] is actually shown in my 15 years experience to reduce the number of calls to RCMP [and] ambulance.”
After the meeting, Justin Clarke, a 20-year resident of the area, said he attended on behalf of his family and neighbours who recognize the need for the shelter but question whether it’s being built in the right location.
He said it’s normal to hear sirens ring through the area every day, but neighbours worry about more.
“Maybe it’s nothing that I should be worried about, but I don’t know,” Clarke said.
“But, I agree there does need to be a facility, there needs to be a facility where people can heal.”
Clarke added that somewhere near the hospital or RCMP detachment would be a better location for a shelter.
After the meeting, Eaton and McCorriston said they appreciated hearing peoples’ honest concerns.
“I think it’s a good idea to bring all the different community services together and see what we can do to help those kids and ensure people those kids’ safety,” McCorriston said.
“I’m personally, of course, not concerned about it because I’m used to dealing with the population, but not everybody is.”
They break in places and steal to support their addictions, food and shelter will not stop that. He’s feeding a bunch of b.s. look out folks they’re coming to a neighbourhood near you!
This is much needed and the nay-sayers are ignorant.
Beaver-Cleaver Clarke is an example of the not -in-my-backyard crowd.
This project is long overdue and will help many. Have a heart!
When they moved the old men’s shelter our quality of life improved immediately.
I understand that these institutions are necessary. But the people involved paint a very very rosey picture of what will happen to your neighbourhood. This shelter will be a congregation point. Be ready to listen to constant screaming, frequent fights, significant police activity, and a general increase in crime in the area.
The idea that people in these situations only steal and commit crimes out of desperation is ridiculous.
Check your car insurance, make sure you’re covered. Be prepared to stand up for yourself and maybe get a dog.
Agreed, as a lower base resident the problems of living next to the shelter were frequent. Fighting, alcohol, drug use, sexual acts in public, even murder on peoples door steps. There will be no peace or safety to the neighbours of the shelter, kids are at risk and the staff at the shelters are understaffed and underpaid. They cannot keep up with the overcrowded mess these shelters are.
“People aren’t having to go steal, and go break into whatever it is they’re looking to break into, to make [sure] their basic needs get met,” Eaton said.
Was there ever a rash of break-in so people could get their basic needs met? Has that ever been the main motivation for break-ins and stealing around town?
There is no doubt that these kinds of facilities unfortunately are needed. I think picking the right place to build these kinds of facilities is important, but I also recognize that Iqaluit is very small, and these concerns will probably be raised no matter where facilities are built.
Through the years I have proudly volunteered my time towards homelessness and hunger issues. I was proud and very happy when the new men’s shelter was relocated from a very small and ineffective location to its current location. I was also involved with setting up the warming center originally. Again all services desperately required in Iqaluit, which has become a melting pot for all northern communities.
The real issue is there is really no programming or supports provided for these men. It is great to say that you are offering transitional housing, but where are the supports to make this successful. Where are the supports for men facing homelessness. Is there training, mental health or community supports that could be provided and are not.
My greatest hope is that we can end homelessness. I believe that we can, but it would require many changes, and a renewed commitment to doing so. The operating budget for Uquutaq has increased dramatically over the years. Can you please tell me who has been hired to provide community supports, and what are they doing? Are full assessments being completed on intake to point towards required supports. Or is the homeless shelter and Low Barrier shelter continuing as a cot and shelter and nothing else.
One day I will get re-involved with homelessness. But I am hoping to see a meaningful difference sooner.
Uhhh, have you been to Yellowknife sir?
Perhaps its worthwhile looking at their failed attempts in the downtown core at providing an overnight shelter like this. Its a drug a booze den where the cops are always having to separate fist-fights. Each new spot is quickly run into the ground via destruction and filth.
It is absolutely not a place to heal and people will ensure the odd person there trying to heal gets no-where via a constant supply of drugs and booze being brought there.
Its constantly a topic at the City meetings because its so bad and never doing what its intended to do and just brings in concentrated violence into an area.
Too many drunks and drugs and break-ins already in the neighborhood. Now every bum who gets wasted or intentionally locked out because they are drunk/violent will go to that neighborhood. How about build that on the plateau or beside the premiere’s house and see how fast that idea gets axed. Only solution is put it out at upper base completely away from residential.
That is not a bad idea, putting it away from residential area.But we can thank ex-mayor Redfern for this policy, its a dumb policy for mixed residential areas. Call it NIMBY, but why would ANYONE wants to have a shelter in their area? The old 534 building has a cop car parked there daily, sometimes multiple times a day!
Yep, then Redfern sold her house and moved south, leaving us to live with her ‘ I won’t be around to l deal with it’ policies.
Redfern has apparently taken a temporary contract in Ottawa and still owns her home in Iqaluit. You’re forgetting how much crap and misogyny the Ladies of Lower Beach had to go through to get the beach area cleaned up and policed. It was disgraceful. Now it’s an asset to the town.
REHAB BESIDE A PLAYGROUND??? Are you nuts? Placing a rehab next to a playground and in a neighborhood filled with children. What are you thinking? A sleepover spot for drunks? For impaired people with poor judgement and self-control? What are you thinking? Kevin Eaton, we should put it beside your house and see how you like that idea.
It’s not a rehab facility. Stop fear mongering and get some actual information.
Worse than a rehab. It’s active drunks and drug abusers right beside a designated children’s playground.
As someone who lives within a couple hundred metres of the proposed location, I agree with Kevin Eaton.
I am fully in favour of this Uquutaq low-barrier shelter being here. The site is within easy walking distance of existing social housing and also other housing, and it serves a genuine need. Also, grocery stores and restaurants are also within easy access. (Unhoused people need to eat too! And they need to have easy access to friends and family too!)
Also, the waterfront is nearby as well, which means that unhoused people who are trying to sleep in poorly heated (and therefore extremely dangerous) tents and cabins now have a much safer option during cold weather.
Nothing is as heartbreaking to see as a person in need who freezes to death or looses limbs due to gangrene from having insufficient warmth. Or who burns to death from using a propane heater in a tent.
We need to remember that unhoused people have just as much right to live here as we do. They are people just like the rest of us.
Unhoused people are often people with disabilities, for example prior orthopedic injuries that in turn led to painkiller usage, and then substance misuse problems. Of course, these people need support and help. But they also need an emergency place to stay that is low-barrier and that it always immediately available (particularly when cold weather suddenly appears), and this Uquutaq facility is special because of it is low barrier by nature.
We all need to remember that every one of can experience homelessness very easily. All it takes is one injury (especially if you do not have the good fortune of permanent employment with a benefits package). One injury can very easily render you unable to work. Or some other form of trauma occurs. With no income, soon you lose your place to live. With this kind of inherent vulnerability (which we ultimately all have in some form), we need shelters and support services like Uquutaq, as part of a comprehensive system of social services in Nunavut, for people with a diverse range of needs.
Great job PJ. You’ll be reme