No homeless shelter planned for Kinsmen Children’s Centre redevelopment: Region of Waterloo
The Region of Waterloo is clarifying that there is no plan to convert part of the old Kinsmen Children's Centre in Cambridge into a homeless shelter.
Several delegates attended a Wednesday night council meeting to voice their concern over the possibility of building an emergency shelter at the site.
"I live right in the Nantucket/Eagle Valley development and I was concerned with the schools and retirement homes that were there, the playgrounds, if there was such a homeless shelter to come," said one delegate.
Regional councillors were quick to clarify that there was never an intention to convert the former children's centre into a shelter.
"I'm not sure where the concept of the homeless shelter is coming from, because no one here would put a homeless shelter in that spot," said Coun. Rob Deutschmann. "It was never mentioned in the report as a homeless shelter."
In an administration and finance committee agenda from Oct. 10, a report reads that staff met with management teams to develop a proposed multi-use facility, which would include emergency shelter space on the second floor.
"I would suggest tonight that we take the homeless shelter component right off the table from the get-go," said Cambridge resident Nathan Whalen at the meeting. "That way we avoid the community concerns and accelerate this development proposal in the best way forward."
The proposal for the site includes adding paramedic services to the building, a number of affordable housing units, and other integrated services.
The facility operated as a regionally-owned childcare centre on Concession Road until 2021, when it was used as a temporary COVID-19 isolation centre for those experiencing homelessness.
Council voted to have staff explore the potential of redeveloping the site, and clarified it would not be used as a shelter.
"No decisions are being made this evening in terms of the final use of that site," said Peter Sweeney, commissioner of community services for the region. "That process would not only engage our colleagues at the City of Cambridge, but also include community consultation and engagement in that process."
Staff added the process will likely take years and will have plenty of opportunity for more consultations with the public.
PREVIOUS CONFUSION OVER WORDING
Earlier in October, Cambridge Mayor Jan Liggett expressed concern over plans to build affordable housing units at the Kinsmen Children's Centre site.
"Even though I support supportive housing – not at this particular site. I have strong, grave concerns about that," said Liggett. "This is right next door to an elementary school, they share the chain link fence."
Her comments resulted in some pushback from fellow councillors.
"To respond to councillor Liggett, who I usually do not disagree with, supportive housing means a person can afford to rent a house, but not at the prices of today's," said regional councillor Sue Foxton. "So it's 33 per cent of their income for housing, as supportive housing. These are not homeless people, anything else. Just wanted to clarify and you may have known that."
Despite the recommendation primarily using 'affordable' housing in the terminology of the report, it seems both 'affordable' and 'supportive' housing were mentioned during the meeting, which may have complicated the discussion.
Mayor Liggett said there is a difference between the two during an interview with CTV News.
"You need to understand there's a difference between affordable housing and supportive housing," Liggett said. "And I don't think people understand the difference between them. Affordable housing is one thing, I think it's a great opportunity if that can be all affordable housing and [for] families. That can be great."
With reporting from CTV Kitchener's Spencer Turcotte
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.