The olde Brick = new Homeless Shelter?

[mykalberta]

On the corner of 16th Ave NW and Centre Street there is the old brick building.

I live almost within spitting distance of the place (if there is a high wind) and I hear yesterday and read today that they are turning the Brick into a temporary homeless shelter.

Now, I dont mind them doing that (I wouldnt want to have to survive the cold outside) as I do very little shopping in that area, the Safeway to the North is already a cedy joint so I travel elsewhere for groceries. I hear its a temporary measure, I assume just for this winter as I had assumed that the reason the building was still vacant was the fact that they will be tearing it down to widen 16th ave.

Does anyone know how temporary it is and or when they are planning on tearing the building down (if they are) - I assume next spring as they look to be over 80% completed the NW section - there is some touchups etc to be done but.

Thanks

MYK

[ken0042]

On Global this morning they mentioned it would just be for the winter.

One funny thing; one of the potential delays is getting permits. Geez, you'd think the City would have an inside track at getting stuff done from the City.

[JiriHrdina]

There is going to be big time NIMBY happening with this one for sure, both from local business and residents. And they do have a point, but these people need to be able to go somewhere for the cold winter nights.

[jolinar of malkshor]

I think they plan on demolishing the building in the spring of 07

[mykalberta]

My dad is planning on buying a unit for rental in the same building i live in so if might actually decrease the buying price - sweet.

I normally cant stand NIMBYs - and since its only a temporary thing I dont have a problem with it (I dont have kids though - its just me).

MYK

[I-Hate-Hulse]

As I understand, they bus em in by night and bus em out by daybreak. Shouldn't really have too much of an impact, other than the people who freak out about it.

I lived by the Mustard Seed for 4 years and it was fine. Not that I liked it, but it didn't turn into the slums of Brazil or anything.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by fotze

It alright for you to hate the Nimby's but if someone in Tuscany hates the nimby then that is another issue.

What??? I never said it was a problem.

[ken0042]

You'll have to excuse Fotze. His attempts at humour aren't nearly as good if he hasn't has his Ritalin yet.

[JohnnyFlame]

You know in China the first thing they build for a project is workers quarters. They are nothing fancy but they aren't slums. This gives a tempoary home for laborers who have come in from the country to find work.

I know in some cases the working poor are the ones who are homeless. If there were places to stay on job that provided a place to sleep it could help these people save some money that they could eventually use for lodging.

I would think business could reduce some of that labor shortage if there was a return to the old days where there was company housing and housing that was built by the workers themselves.

[browna]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

As I understand, they bus em in by night and bus em out by daybreak. Shouldn't really have too much of an impact, other than the people who freak out about it.

There's something similar under the Crowchild/Bow Interchange I think, right on 11 Ave. Drive by there sometimes after Flames games if I take the left turn up onto Bow Trail, and wondered about that. Looked like a big scr3een TV in one section, kitchen in the other, and I assume sleeping hall in the back. Couldn't understand how this many people got there.

Then one evening at about 10pm last winter, saw a city bus full of people driving down 11 Ave in that direction.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by JohnnyFlame

I would think business could reduce some of that labor shortage if there was a return to the old days where there was company housing and housing that was built by the workers themselves.

You'd think this'd be obvious, especially in Fort Mac, but you gotta wonder what those oil companies are thinking.

[flamingchina]

The quarters are pretty much always on site though, that would mainly work up in the fort... down here, I suppose we could make a work camp next to chestemere lake
and some of them are quite a lot like slums in the rural areas sadly...

Originally Posted by JohnnyFlame

You know in China the first thing they build for a project is workers quarters. They are nothing fancy but they aren't slums. This gives a tempoary home for laborers who have come in from the country to find work.

I know in some cases the working poor are the ones who are homeless. If there were places to stay on job that provided a place to sleep it could help these people save some money that they could eventually use for lodging.

I would think business could reduce some of that labor shortage if there was a return to the old days where there was company housing and housing that was built by the workers themselves.

[ken0042]

Just watching Global news on this- apparently between the city and the province they are spending $1.5 Million on this one building to house 300 people for 4 months. That is $5000 per person or $1250 per month per person.

Couldn't this money be better spent? I mean this building will be torn down in the spring. I would think that $1.5 M would be a huge start on some affordable housing project. Make it dormitory style; it's good enough for our future doctors, lawyers and engineers. Why not for the homeless?

Or hell, just send them to Mexico; I know of a few all inclusives that you could get for almost that much money.

[White Doors]

Wow. that is nuts. And ew have Bronco Dave saying we need to raise taxes? What a waste of money!
I'd let one stay in my spare room for that much a month. Christ.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Just watching Global news on this- apparently between the city and the province they are spending $1.5 Million on this one building to house 300 people for 4 months. That is $5000 per person or $1250 per month per person.

Couldn't this money be better spent? I mean this building will be torn down in the spring. I would think that $1.5 M would be a huge start on some affordable housing project. Make it dormitory style; it's good enough for our future doctors, lawyers and engineers. Why not for the homeless?

Or hell, just send them to Mexico; I know of a few all inclusives that you could get for almost that much money.

Well I've got no problem with this. Fact is, these people need to stay somewhere now, not two years from now.

Whatever you think of "bums and creeps", these are human beings we're talking about.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Whatever you think of "bums and creeps", these are human beings we're talking about.

Who said any kind of derogitory comments like that?

I agree, something has to be done for the people now; but did nobody see this coming? That is my problem. I could have told you in the spring when house and rent prices went up this was going to be an issue.

And in my mind it would have been better to work with something more permenant that this. Let's work towards a solution; not a band-aid.

[White Doors]

There will never be a 'solution'. Help those that want it and get used to those that don't. You can't 'make' someone believe in themselves or in society. It's one of the costs of a free society.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by White Doors

There will never be a 'solution'. Help those that want it and get used to those that don't. You can't 'make' someone believe in themselves or in society.

Sure you can. You have to make them see where they can fit into that society. Help people with their addictions, mental diseases and give them some skills and most of them will gladly believe in society, and believe that they can find a productive place in it.

[White Doors]

I agree. But you have to frame it as an opportunity, you can't force it upon them.
I can tell you that it will never be gone. It will always be there.

[White Doors]

And I think all of what you mention is already being done.