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Seeking shelter for
homeless; Group aims to open one by the winter
Dobson, Cathy / The Observer
Local News - Thursday, June 21, 2007 @ 16:00
A group led by the Inn of the Good Shepherd is scouting the local real
estate market for a building to become a homeless shelter.
It has to be large enough for 20 emergency beds and 20 transitional
beds. It's got to be close to social services. It needs to be on a bus
route. And it has to be affordable, said Myles Vanni, the Inn's
executive director.
The key is location, Mayor Mike Bradley said at a meeting Wednesday of
the county's social services committee. Zoning will need to be in place
to allow institutional use.
Vanni met with the committee to let county politicians know plans for a
new shelter are rapidly moving ahead, and that county council will soon
be asked for some of the capital/operating funding.
"So much hinges on finding an appropriate facility.
Then we'll move as quickly as possible," he said. "We'd
like to have it before winter strikes."
The Inn is working with agencies including the YMCA, the United Way,
social services and St. Vincent de Paul, and has heard nothing but
encouragement from the community, Vanni said.
"I think people accept that we have a homelessness problem in
Sarnia and that we have to do something about it," he said.
Vanni credited a temporary shelter started by the River City Vineyard
church for bringing the issue to public attention. He said he hopes the
new shelter will be large enough to negate the need for others.
A capital campaign is underway, although a goal won't be set until a
location is secured. Vanni said the Inn has $80,000 in reserves to use
for a purchase, at least until funds can be raised.
An estimated $400,000 a year will be needed to operate the shelter and
staff it around-the-clock.
All levels of government will be approached for funding, Vanni said. He
was congratulated by several politicians at the meeting for moving the
project along quickly.
But committee members also said they have serious concerns about how the
province funds group homes and shelters because the money provided is
based on how many people actually use the facilities.
"The provincial funding model is absolutely crazy," said
Petrolia's Mayor John McCharles. "If you have an empty bed, you
don't get money for it, so you're tempted to go out on the street and
grab up someone to sleep there. It's absolutely screwed up," he
said.
The funding formula puts group homes and shelters into financial crises
unless they are constantly busy, Bradley agreed.
"As a county, we need to make a decision to support (the shelter)
through the levy so an organization like the Inn of the Good Shepherd
doesn't have to perpetually fundraise," he said.
Coun. Bev MacDougall and Bradley received committee support for their
motion to urge the province to rethink its funding model and consider
base funding for fixed costs.
The committee also agreed to ask the province to increase per diem rates
for shelters.
Lambton Shores Mayor Gord Minielly said he's optimistic the capital
campaign will be successful if operational dollars are secured.
"Then I'm sure people will come forward to help out," he said.
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