Residents of Charlottetown’s tent encampments confused about province’s plan for emergency shelter

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — There’s nonetheless confusion amongst homeless folks in Charlottetown about modular houses the province is bringing in to produce non permanent shelter this winter.

In an interview with SaltWire Community on Sept. 13, P.E.I. Social Growth Minister Matt MacKay mentioned as much as 52 modular houses have been ordered from western Canada to offer folks at the moment dwelling in tents all through the capital metropolis a spot to go.

SaltWire talked to among the residents on Sept. 20 who’re dwelling within the tent encampment adjoining to the Holland Faculty residence on Cumberland Road about what they’ve been advised since MacKay’s announcement.

Keith Wooden mentioned they’ve relied on media stories to search out out info.

“To date, there was no one down right here. No one has come down and brought names or something like that,” Wooden mentioned. “We’ve heard via the grapevine that we’re going to be despatched out.”

Wooden mentioned there was some discuss on the Neighborhood Outreach Centre that these modular houses can be prepared to maneuver into by Nov. 1, however there was no official phrase.

Wooden mentioned lots of these dwelling in tents across the metropolis are nonetheless questioning whether or not the modular houses can be thought-about emergency shelter or sponsored housing and, if that’s the case, how a lot it should price.

“Are you going to must name each evening to see if there’s a room obtainable such as you do now,” Wooden mentioned. “There are numerous particulars unknown.”

Wooden mentioned there are extra folks dwelling in tents across the metropolis than these within the 5 encampments.

“I’ve obtained associates everywhere in the metropolis dwelling in a tent, folks that merely can’t afford hire. I hope (the province) doesn’t overlook about them.”

Rebecca Gass, communications officer with MacKay’s workplace, mentioned on Sept. 20 that extra info is coming quickly.

“The modular emergency housing models at Park Road can be a short lived answer to make sure those that require emergency shelter in a heat and protected setting have entry to it,” Gass mentioned in an e-mail.

SaltWire additionally spoke with a Charlottetown resident on Sept. 20 who has spent most of his life organising and tearing down these modular houses for the oil and gasoline trade in Alberta.

Leonard Handrahan, 67, mentioned whereas the federal government’s intention is sweet, setting it up in Charlottetown isn’t a good suggestion, primarily based on his private expertise,

“To do what the federal government has proposed right here is definitely unimaginable,” Handrahan mentioned in an interview exterior the previous authorities storage property. “These camps are designed primarily for remoted areas the place they’ll have entry to water, the power to eliminate water, and so they want a reasonably large powering unit to offer electrical energy to the camp.”

Handrahan mentioned he has labored within the oil and gasoline trade most of his grownup life. He not units up and tears down modular houses for the trade however nonetheless works as a marketing consultant.

Handrahan mentioned tanker vehicles are used to usher in water. Water then drains out right into a sump system, which is created by digging a big gap behind the camp. When the camp is not wanted, he mentioned heavy gear is often introduced in to cowl up the opening which is crammed with wastewater and rubbish left by the camp.

In her e-mail on Sept. 20, Gass mentioned the complicated could have entry to water and sewage.

Handrahan mentioned camps are usually positioned in bush nation areas, so that they don’t have an effect on any people or trigger different issues.

“Whenever you carry them right into a metropolis you’re coping with residential areas.”

As well as, he mentioned the modular houses normally measure 60 toes in size and 12 toes in width and are transported by particular heavy-duty flatbeds, making them a problem to usher in and manoeuvre in a city-like setting.

“These are vast masses you’re speaking about,” he mentioned.

Have to know

Following is details about homeless numbers in P.E.I. and the province’s plan to usher in emergency shelter for the winter:

• Within the Sept. 13 interview, P.E.I. Social Growth and Housing Minister Matt MacKay mentioned the non permanent housing ought to arrive in three months.
• The set-up will characteristic six modules in two complexes with every complicated measuring 4,300 sq. toes. There can be as much as 25 beds per complicated.
• The estimated price is $1.3 million.
• MacKay mentioned there are about 113 homeless folks Islandwide in the intervening time and 5 tent encampments positioned round Charlottetown.

Dave Stewart is a reporter with the SaltWire Community in Prince Edward Island. He might be reached by e-mail at [email protected] and adopted on Twitter @DveStewart.