Plans for a new women’s shelter in Cambridge continue to draw concern from neighbours of the proposed site.
Haven House has outgrown its current home on Concession Road, and hopes to move to part of a school site on Acorn Way, near Elgin Street.
It’s the proximity to the school that has its potential neighbours – about 100 of whom attended a public meeting Tuesday night – concerned.
“It brings fear to the neighbourhood,” Joanne Green, who lives across from the proposed site, tells CTV News.
“Many of us are worried for our children.”
Opponents of the shelter have raised concerns about drug use and violence.
Although most people who spoke at the meeting were opposed to their potential new neighbour’s arrival, a few were more supportive.
“I don’t feel there is a risk of violence to any of us,” says Catheryn Mantione.
Cambridge councillors will deal with the potential sale of the land, which currently belongs to the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, later this month.
If approved, Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region – which operates Heaven House – would need to raise $8.5 million before starting construction.
