Dozens of Chatham residents are expressing their frustration over the process of choosing a residential neighbourhood for a new emergency shelter.
Tensions were high Tuesday night during a public information session about the future location of a shelter planned for the former Victoria Park public school on Murray Street.
Several residents were angry - not just because the shelter would be in their neighbourhood - but also because council would not reconsider the decision to place the shelter at the school, according to a letter read at Tuesday's information session.
Terry Moore, a resident who lives in the neighbourhood, said he felt the meeting was done similarly to the way council voted on the matter.
"They had to throw it together," said Moore. "People are very disappointed because we have had this thrown at us."
Terry said the move put residents in a reactionary situation rather than a situation where the neighbourhood could have had some say in the matter.
Ward 6 Councillor Michael Bondy, who voted against the motion, said he understood where the people are coming from. He felt the meeting did not answer a lot of the public's questions.
"I didn't feel the concerns of the residents were addressed very clearly, in my opinion," said Bondy. "I felt the focus was adverted."
Bondy admitted to initially thinking the site was a good location, but he said his opinion switched after receiving a lot of emails and phone calls.
"I listened to the people," said Bondy. "That was reflected in my vote."
During the meeting, General Manager of Community Human Services April Rietdyk said the decision had been made, which drew a few angry comments.
"We have to find somewhere for a number of homeless people to live," said Rietdyk. "It has gone to council [and] council has voted."
Director of Employment and Social Services Polly Smith said she was unsure if any progress was made but felt the residents had a chance to voice their concerns.
"People were angry and frustrated. There's a lot of fear that the crime and problems they're seeing will be worse," said Smith. "It's our goal to make sure that doesn't happen and to house the homeless population. This is the start of the conversation."
The conversation will continue at Studio One inside the Chatham Cultural Centre on April 6, 2022 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
