Stop the Salvation Army Shelter from moving to Vanier

Comments

#1001

Vanier had been improoving in recent years, houses renovated etc becoming a nice working class neighburough

(Ottawa, 2017-10-02)

#1002

I am concerned with the safety of my neighbors and my family. I believe the residents of Vanier are very much involved in helping the less fortunate through aĺl the services now present in our neighborhood. Adding a megacentre will definitely break the fragile balance now in place. Thanks

(Vanier, 2017-10-03)

#1003

The city of Ottawa is careless

(Ottawa, 2017-10-03)

#1004

This mega-shelter is the wrong model. Distributed/Smaller shelters is the recommended approach to homlessness based on current studies.

(ottawa, 2017-10-04)

#1005

I believe a mega shelter is not the answer to long term homelessness. It will have terrible consenquences for the local economy of Vanier. Lets find the right solution and work together for the poor. The right solution that benefits the homeless and the surrounding community!

(Ottawa, 2017-10-04)

#1007

j'habite dans le quartier et je crois que nous avons déjà assez de services de ce genre.

(Ottawa, 2017-10-04)

#1008

I'm signing because an influx of homeless people into an already troubled area will overwhelm what little progress Vanier has been able to make in the last few years, and cause additional problems when it comes to crimes, drugs, gangs, poverty, etc.

(Vanier, 2017-10-04)

#1009

ALOT of work has been done to improve Vanier & make it a respectable place to live and work...,.the shelter would jeopardize these efforts. There are enough pot shops,pawn shops & cash day loan businesses already attracting the wrong crowd to Montreal Rd...we can't afford the shelter to add to this.

(Ottawa, 2017-10-04)

#1011

A mega shelter will not serve those it intends to help. Research shows this is an outdated ineffective model. The only Pro for this is it moves the trouble these shelters create out of downtown but CON it moves it into a residential neighbourhood. Is this not a great time to do it right instead of moving the problem?

(Vanier, 2017-10-04)

#1012

I want to keep my neigh proof safe

(Vanier, 2017-10-05)

#1013

This is very bad for the security on Vanier, specially on Montreal road my dram to walk in a safe place is done , sad very sad

(Ottawa, 2017-10-05)

#1015

This is not fair to the people of Vanier. Apart from Montreal road itself, there is nothing but residential neighborhoods surrounding the proposed site.

(Vanier, 2017-10-06)

#1016

I don't believe large facilities are as effective as smaller ones in solving the issue. This is backwards. It will make it so much worse.

(Kanata, 2017-10-08)

#1017

I live next to CMHC. It is a great neighbourhood but we have a lot of low rentals and drug issues close by. I also work downtown and use Montreal and Rideau Rd to make my way to work every day. At 7am I can see prostitutes looking for business and drug dealers looking for customers. Vanier is a beautiful little neighbourhood with big problems and relocating the shelter there will add to the ugly problem in that area.

(Ottawa, 2017-10-10)

#1023

This Salvation Army will increase the amount of people passing through my neighbourhood particularly late at night to get to the Byward market. It will increase crime and reduce the development and market price of my home. Let them stay where they are in the market where they are going to go anyway.

(Vanier, 2017-10-24)

#1028

I'm concerned.

(Ottawa, 2017-11-03)

#1030

Ottawa needs a better model for dealing with the homeless. Vanier has made a lot of progress in recent years in addressing some of its social problems. Bringing such a large facility into the community will jeopardize the progress that Vanier has made. We need smaller scale initiatives spread throughout the city.

(Ottawa, 2017-11-05)

#1031

I am concerning about my kids

(Vanier, 2017-11-07)

#1035

I am a property owner in the area close to proposed sight and am concerned that many important improvements made in the neighbourhood over the last 10 years will be nullified by building a shelter this size. Many individuals have invested in their homes and businesses in an attempt to improve the neighbourhood. This proposal threatens all of that.

(Ottawa, 2017-11-07)

#1036

I am signing because a mega shelter like this does not belong anywhere let alone a place like Vanier and on their main street,

(Ottawa, 2017-11-07)

#1037

So many reasons, boiling down to 3 -

1) This is unfair to Vanier
2) This is counterproductive to the at-risk population supposedly being served
3) This is contrary to the long-term interests of the city as a whole

(Ottawa, 2017-11-07)

#1038

This is one of the few (or only?) neighbourhoods in Ottawa that is accessible to low and moderate income people. Moving this shelter here requires Ottawa's poor to carry the weight - when the community has been working hard to offer these residents a safer place to live. It is another situation where the wealthy refuse to care for their city and its problems, and the less wealthy are forced to deal with the realities of the burden.

(Vanier, 2017-11-07)

#1039

1) 350 beds for MEN is way too large to be effectively handled without severe negative consequences for any community.
2) Putting a shelter on the main street in the middle of the neighbourhood will severely disrupt typical and desirable main street activity including:
a) commuters from the east going to downtown and
b) foot traffic, including families and the elderly travelling along the main street.
Both vehicle and foot traffic are critical components of any opportunity for community economic growth – which will be stifled by this proposal.
3) Bringing this many desperate and troubled homeless men with mental health and addiction issues into this area will inevitably also bring with it several hundred more drug dealers to serve them. Thereby increasing the amount of drugs available, and the likelihood of additional new addicts in the neighbourhood - not to mention supporting and reinforcing addictive behaviour by current residents (something the neighbourhood is already struggling with)
4) Coupled with the influx of several hundred desperate and mentally ill homeless men and seasoned criminals, this will inevitably mean an increase in crime including break and enter, vandalism, robbery and violent crime. It will also perpetuate more informal and typically un-reported negative consequences including intimidation, bullying, corruption, and gang related violence and ultimately a fearful and anxious community.
5) Together with the mental and emotional costs for residents, the real economic costs will be altogether crippling in one of the region’s poorest postal codes. Increased costs associated with property security equipment, loss and stolen property, property damage, insurance costs, and of course, plunging property values will render residents, already struggling to get by, extremely vulnerable.
6) As a matter of public policy – there are several studies proving that a “mega-shelter” approach simply does not work. These kinds of services are required in every community and concentrating them in one neighbourhood is effectively putting the nail in the coffin of a neighbourhood that has attracted many young families in recent years as the last option for affordable housing close to downtown. Consolidating that many people in one neighbourhood will effectively turn Vanier into a ghetto like many other north American urban centres. Where the strategy should be one of “divide and conquer”, this proposal will centralize, consolidate and reinforce homelessness, drug and addition problems and associated criminal activity.

(Ottawa, 2017-11-07)

#1040

I want the Salvation Army proposal stopped because I am convinced their plan is a dinosaur. There are modern models to treat and support the SA clientelle , spreading the services to

(Otttawa, 2017-11-07)

#1041

I am totally opposed to having this 350 bed facility on Montreal rd or anywhere else in Vanier. Vanier has it’s share of such facilities and cannot and should not be dumped on AGAIN by the City of Ottawa.

(Ottawa, 2017-11-07)

#1042

it is insane!

(ottawa, 2017-11-07)

#1046

I have lived in the Vanier area for just under 8 years now, and in this time we have seen immense improvement to the area. We have eliminated a large amount of prostitution and drug use. In the past year there has been an unfortunate increase in prostitution and drug use. If this proposed shelter is built it will not have a positive impact on the immediate community. There will be an increased rate of drug use In public areas. I have a 4 year old son. I do not want him finding needles and other paraphernalia while playing in the park. It has happened before and will only increase with the mega shelter. If you are to build something, build a more modest shelter not only for men but for women and families as well. Do not contribute to this community's demise.

(Vanier, 2017-11-08)

#1058

Vanier is far too precariously balanced socioeconomically to support this shelter.

(Ottawa (Orleans), 2017-11-08)

#1059

The process has been shattering to those of us who believe a city should be respectful of all interests and that citizen voice is core to democracy. The SA did not consult and has been rude to those who want to engage. They did not attend the HousingFirst seminar which was meant to engage the SS with what has been proven to be a better model. I am disappointed that any organization could possibly believe that putting a drug and alcohol rehab centre in the middle of a city can work with over 200 men. We need shelter..homes for families, homes for addicts under care not an institution.

(Ottawa, 2017-11-08)

#1060

... Vanier is burdened enough and this choice seems poorly thought through.

(Ottawa, 2017-11-08)

#1061

I am opposed to the proposal from a zoning /planning perspective as well as a housing perspective and community pimpact perspective.

(Ottawa, 2017-11-08)

#1065

The shelter is too big - recent studies show mega-shelters are not the way to go.

(Ottawa, 2017-11-08)

#1066

The shelter is too big.

(Ottawa, 2017-11-08)

#1067

The mega shelter program has been a failure in every city it's been implemented. It does not offer rehab programs and only serves men, ignoring women and children, who are most vulnerable.

(Orleans, 2017-11-08)

#1069

The proposed shelter is too large for the community of Vanier.

(Ottawa, 2017-11-08)

#1070

Vanier has cleaned up quite a bit over the years, absolutely no need to destroy was the residents have worked hard to accomplish.

(Vanier, 2017-11-08)

#1071

I don’t agree with the idea of a mega mission in camper.

(Ottawa, 2017-11-08)

#1072

I see very little of merit in the choice of 333 Montreal Road as the location of the Salvation Army shelter for the people whom the agency serves or the community in which it is being proposed to be located. There are many neighbouring communities east , west and south of downtown where smaller scale shelters could be created without requiring any one community to be the only location.

(Ottawa, 2017-11-08)

#1073

I want access to sage affordable housing. I don't want to worry about my family's safety. Affordability shouldn't come at the expense of safety.

(OTTAWA, 2017-11-08)

#1074

Vanier has done more than its fair share in taking the brunt of some of Ottawa's social problems. There's a halfway house, a large Salvation Army, and other pillars of the community looking after those in our community who are more vulnerable. Vanier has been "taking one for the team", so to speak, for decades now. What could be a highly pedestrianized downtown neighbourhood has sought for years to improve its lifestyle has shouldered a heavy burden on behalf of the rest of the city of Ottawa.

That said, every community needs to do its part to tackle this problem, and to simply move a Salvation Army from downtown to make way for condo buildings (which tend to be purchased by the wealthy) and move a homeless shelter will add undue stress to the area.

Furthermore, consider the transportation linkages: the homeless, as they try to reintegrate into society, need affordable transit options, which are simply less available in Vanier when compared to the market area, which benefits from STO and OC Transpo, and will soon have the LRT. In fact, to move the shelter to Vanier would serve their needs far less than it would to renovate the existing Salvation Army building, which has faced decades of neglect.

We do not improve our community by merely sweeping the poor, the vulnerable and the homeless in one corner of the city. Especially when that corner of the city is looking to diversify, is investing in greater pedestrian infrastructure, is looking to attract new businesses, and is seeing a greater number of immigrants, many from Western Africa, adding to the life of the city.

Vanier has incredible potential: it's downtown, it's densely-populated, it's highly pedestrian, and is linguistically diverse. It is, in short, the very type of neighbourhood that Ottawa should take absolute priority on improving, considering the fundamentals are all there, in terms of urban planning.

As others have noted, there are also issues over the viability and usefulness of mega-shelters, which time and time again have been shown to be less useful than sharing the burden across the city, in every community, to serve every community.

For the sake of disclosure, I am French-Canadian, and feel very strongly about the rapid dissipation of our community, which is spreading itself thinly into the suburbs and has a smaller and smaller concentration in urban areas. I am also not/not a resident of Vanier, and would therefore like to pre-empt any accusation of NIMBYism.

(Ottawa, 2017-11-08)

#1075

Ottawa needs to start blending communities - don’t stamp Vanier with a final “wrong side of the tracks” label.

(Ottawa, 2017-11-08)

#1077

I believe the proposed sight is too large for a neighborhood already struggling. If the people are spread out through different neighborhoods it would be better.

(Ottawa, 2017-11-08)

#1079

I'm signing this because I am concerned about my child's safety and well being. Children should not be exposed to the drugs, alcohol and prostitution that comes along with a big shelter

(Ottawa, Ontario, 2017-11-08)

#1083

I am against the Salvation Army application development on Montreal Road because of the non compliance to the zoning policy on establishment of shelters on main streets as well as the socio economic impact this initiative would have on the Vanier community

(Ottawa, 2017-11-08)

#1088

This shelter is outsized and inappropriately situated given the number of services it proposes to offer.

(Vanier, 2017-11-08)

#1093

I agree with the issue. An area that has worked hard to improve its safety and attractability for better businesses for decades.... to be now suborned by their own City Council?

(Ottawa, 2017-11-08)

#1100

Because, I want to protect all children living in this area from drugs, protitution and people scaring them from Montreal Rd. I also want Vanier to be a better place to live with your family.

(Ottawa, 2017-11-08)

#1103

I believe that one large facility will not properly serve the needs of the various clients. Also the area is wrong and will cause a huge negative impact on the families currently residing in the community.

(Smiths Falls, 2017-11-08)

#1105

It isn't a move that makes sense for any of the involved parties. It is only being done because of available land. No regard is being given to the affected parties.

(Ottawa, 2017-11-08)

#1107

My tidy neighbourhood lies in the path of pedestrian connects from other parts east of the Rideau River, to the west, namely Lower town, with all its attractions. Neighbours already have many additional tasks with respect to cleaning up litter dropped by passers through. Also, people have been known to sleep overnight, take drugs, drink, etc., under shrubbery and bushes along the streets. I have found myself being requested to escort elderly female pedestrian neighbours around groups of strange and tattered men sitting on the North River Road sidewalk. She complained that one of them was rude to her on her last walk. She insisted I escort her around the block. Vanier is ALREADY a STRESSED suburb. My car, parked in my lane way overnight, has been broken into twice.

(Ottawa/Vanier, 2017-11-08)

#1111

The solution to address poverty and homelessness is not a mega center in Vanier. Use the ressources to provide additional help everywhere in Ottawa. Attracting all the people with needs in one area is not helpful and it hinders the community's efforts to improve the quality of life in this area. Vanier already supports its big share of people with needs.

(Vanier, 2017-11-08)

#1113

I'm signing this petition because the Salvation Army has decided to relocate its emergency services centre to the heart of Vanier with no community consultation or engagement. The Salvation Army's proposal has huge impacts on the community, and Vanier residents faced with this situation should have an opportunity to voice their concerns.

(Ottawa, 2017-11-08)

#1119

I live 3 blocks from the site proposed and am very concerned with the negative impact and degradation of life in this addition to families in the area.

(Vanier, 2017-11-08)

#1120

Bigger is not better. More, smaller shelrers throughout the city would be more appropriate to enable residents to become engaged in society, find a purpose in life, and end homelessness.

(Ottawa, 2017-11-08)

#1121

More progressive and thoughtful planning between the Salvation Army and the community will ensure a positive neighborhood transition. Women's shelters are sorely lacking in Ottawa and there is an opportunity to build an innovative housing mix. Communication and transparency are key.

(Ottawa, 2017-11-08)

#1128

I have serious doubts about a mega-shelter with 350 beds being the right approach, situated in Vanier. Give Vanier a fighting chance.

(Ottawa, 2017-11-09)

#1132

I don't feel a large shelter is a good idea - not just for Vanier, but for anywhere in the City. I don't think it does anything to resolve the underlying problems of homelessness. Furthermore, Vanier has made great strides in improving its community, and this will simply set it decades back.

(Ottawa, 2017-11-09)

#1135

I worry about the impact of this on my community and my kids.

(Ottawa, 2017-11-10)

#1136

It would be a disaster for Vanier !!!!

(Vanier, 2017-11-10)

#1137

This is against the planning guidelines for main streets (requires exemption) and not in the interest of the local population or the clients it would purport to serve (as this large a shelter is not recommended). It is vastly increasing the number of shelter spots, if not the number of shelters, in the area.

(Ottawa, 2017-11-10)

#1139

I am signing because I don’t want to see more drugs and drug addicts and crimes in our community, we are mostly low income communities and I don’t want my values reduced to junk status

(Vanier, 2017-11-10)

#1141

Vanier has been improving, house values have increased at higher rate than Ottawa. Building SA shelter in Vanier will reverse this. Temporary shelter is not a viable and long term effective solution.

(Ottawa, 2017-11-10)

#1144

This area has already experienced a lots of problems but city only cares about the Byward market, its centre and its face, and make the unwise decision, I can't not express how disappointed I'm.

(Ottawa, 2017-11-10)

#1150

I oppose the SA's new location and mode of operation.

(Vanier, 2017-11-13)

#1153

I believe this will decrease my property value and increase local crime. Also it will deter business and investment into this community

(Ottawa, 2017-11-16)

#1155

I am signing because the placement of this shelter on Montreal Road will ruin the lives of many families whose homes are close by. The shelter is far too large to be placed in what is a residential area of the city. If we look at the occurrence of crimes near the current Salvation Army hostel at George and Cumberland, my point will obvious.

(OTTAWA, 2017-11-20)

#1159

The proposed location is not a good one.]
I would support a move to the former Target department store one on St. Laurent Blvd. at Donald OR a number of smaller facilities spread around the City.

(Rockcliffe, 2017-11-24)

#1160

We feel that not enough consideration was given to our concerns regarding the Salvation Army proposal.

(Vanier, Ontario, 2017-12-06)

#1165

There is enough unsavoury characters already in Vanier. It will just reduce property values and bring more crime.

(Ottawa, 2018-03-03)

#1166

I feel unsafe downtown.

(Ottawa, 2018-03-05)

#1167

No we don't need this in Vanier we have done our best to clean the area and you want to bring us the problem you have had for years in the Byward market I font think so Jim Watson and all you people who want to keep the market a prestige area of restaurants and craft stores too bad we want our streets drug free for our children and if you think these ppl will be an asset to Vanier your totally nuts keep th where they are not even the Montfort Hospital thinks it's a good idea wake up Watson take them to your area where you live but NOT IN OUR VANIER.....

(Ottawa, 2018-03-05)

#1169

I’m signing because Vanier doesn’t need the decay of society to come and pester Vanier when it’s just been cleaned up and having homeless people move to Vanier, it will cause havoc and have people complain constantly about the homelessness and the prostitution that’s already happening. Not something I want my 12 yr old to see.

(Ottawa, 2018-04-26)

#1174

We are investing in a house in the area

(Ottawa, 2018-08-05)

#1175

Supersizing homeless shelters is regressive. Plus there is no where for women to go who are homeless. Women have not been considered at all. 350+ homeless men centered in one small block if not progressive to solving why Men are homeless. Additionally there's no guarantee Vanier will be only housing homeless Ottawans and chances are high we will be sheltering men who have come to this city because there is a grand brand new shelter they can attend. This move to build a new mega-shelter is simply not the answer to the men who have no home. Homes are the answer.

(Ottawa, 2018-08-13)

#1176

No neighbourhood should have a shelter this size, it can decimate the community.

(Ottawa, 2018-08-21)

#1179

Lower the value of the homes. Makes it more trashy, gross, crime rate will increase, drugs uses. Prostitution. It’s overwhelming.

(Ottawa, 2018-09-28)

#1180

It's a bad idea to move the shelter to Vanier

(Ottawa, 2018-10-25)

#1182

Tired of being a dumping ground for prostitutes, drug dealers all in same area.

(Vanier, 2019-03-28)

#1184

Vanier has come a long way; we don't want a set-back. There is still enough "so-so': stuff happening in Vanier, we don't need any more. So.... they say the George St. facility is a cancer -- so.... they want to transfer their cancer to Vanier and let us die a painful death. It's all about the hard-headed unfair mayor who wants a cute market area for HIS city's tourists and.... to hell with Vanier residents and businesses. Tourists should not see the mess on George St., but to hell with Vanier -- Alfter, all it's just the French dump of Ottawa.

(Ottawa, 2019-06-27)

#1185

This is not fair to the residents of Vanier that live there and take pride in their homes. The people downtown have always known the Salvation army was there. The city has lost control of the vagrants and wants to shove them where the visitors and rich do not have to trip over them.

(Collingwood, 2019-08-15)

#1188

Having the Salvation Army project in Vanier is irrational and an insult to the residents of Vanier.

(Ottawa, 2020-01-28)

#1189

gender impact on the community

(ottawa, 2020-02-02)

#1190

I do not want to have the salvation army to take over the Concord motel because of the low income people that live there.

(Ottawa, 2020-06-08)

#1192

It's not a agency that is needed here.

(Ottawa, 2021-02-17)