Municipality of Chatham-Kent Council agreed to move forward with an emergency homeless shelter location in the city of Chatham.
At their Monday, March 21, 2022 virtual meeting, Council approved and directed staff to enter into a lease agreement with a group of local investors to provide emergency shelter services at the former Victoria Park public school, located at 185 Murray Street in Chatham.
The agreement would include rent of $1 plus the costs of necessary leasehold improvements, insurance, utilities, and maintenance on an annual basis up to May 31, 2025, with the approval of the final lease terms delegated to the general manager, community human services and director, legal services, a staff report indicates.
Up to $100,000 of the economic downturn reserves approved during the 2022 budget process be used for necessary renovations of 185 Murray Street to meet building and fire codes for the purpose of emergency shelter services, the staff report added.
“Despite varying views on location, it was very evident from the deputations and letters to Council and administration that Chatham-Kent cares very much about helping people experiencing homelessness to be safe and housed,” said Polly Smith, director of employment and social services, in a staff report.
“CKESS is committed to involving the neighbourhood in discussions focusing on how the division’s emergency housing program can be a good neighbour and to understand concerns and proactively address potential sources of conflict. Similar to the work at the Travelodge, CKESS is keenly aware of the need to fit into any neighborhood. The division will continue to work with those accessing this service to ensure they understand that they to have a role to play in the success of this program.”
In a media release issued on Thursday, March 24, 2022 Municipal officials said the public is invited to one of two information sessions on the location of the emergency homeless shelter on Murray Street.
Sessions will be held at Studio One at the Chatham Cultural Centre on Tuesday, March 29 and Wednesday, April 6 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
“We want residents in the area to be able to come to the meeting, provide input and ask questions about how the shelter will operate,” Smith said in a press release.
“We understand that the issue is moving quite rapidly, and we want to make sure people have the facts.”
The municipality’s emergency shelter beds program at the Travelodge is ending May 31, leaving the homeless population with no place to go after that date, Municipal officials say.
The discussion sessions will be moderated and feature a number of municipal panelists.
A background sheet about the shelter will be available at each session.
Smith is also asking the public to view the video of the council meeting discussion from Monday at https://www.facebook.com/yourtvck/videos/539279414183940
Council’s discussion of the matter begins at the one-hour, ten-minute mark.
“We understand some residents have concerns and viewing the council video will answer some questions and possibly provide helpful information prior to the community meetings,” she added.
The full staff report from Monday can be read, here.
