Organizations are struggling to establish a cold weather shelter in Parksville as the weather takes a turn for the worse. (Christpher Katsarov/The Canadian Press)

By Spencer Sterritt

SHELTER STRUGGLES

Parksville’s homeless struggling without cold weather shelter

Dec 3, 2019 | 7:34 AM

PARKSVILLE — As the weather turns cold, there is nowhere to go for those experiencing homelessness in the Oceanside region.

A cold weather shelter was initially proposed for the 52-unit supportive housing complex known as Orca Place, which officially opened earlier this year on Corfield St.

However, the shelter component was removed once Parksville city council spent roughly $500,000 repaying a grant from the regional district who had required a winter shelter at the site.

At the time, Robin Campbell with the Manna Homeless Society felt it was a bad idea. Now, he told NanaimoNewsNOW it should have been considered a criminal idea.

“If you’re a stray dog you can go to the SPCA. But if you’re a human, we don’t want you. And that’s the attitude coming out of this area. It’s very sad. If it was being done to an animal, charges would be laid.”

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Campbell said he’s seen a turn for the worse on Parksville streets since the fall rains began and it’s only gotten worse as temperatures dip below zero degrees on some nights.

“This coldness is really something else. People are starting to show more signs of illness…which is really unhealthy because then we see more self-destruction and more crime.”

Rising crime rates and a perceived increase into anti-social behaviour on Parksville streets were at the core of anti-homeless sentiments shared during the public zoning process for Orca Place.

In a marathon two-and-a-half hour public heaing in June 2018, those opposed to the provincially funded project argued providing housing to the most vulnerable would bring needles, drugs and theft to the neighbourhood.

During the 2018 municipal election, all current members of Parksville council spoke out against the project in some manner.

The move to spend nearly half a million dollars to remove the eight bed cold weather shelter from Orca Place came seven months into the current administrations tenure at City Hall.

When mayor and council were asked directly by NanaimoNewsNOW what the rationale was for removing the shelter and their response to claims their actions were making life on Parksville’s streets worse, the City’s communication officer sent out a timeline of events surrounding Orca Place.

When pressed further for comment and an interview, mayor Ed Mayne in a statement said there “has been ample discussion about the history of 222 Corfield. Decisions have been made and Council is now looking forward to supporting all residents in our community. In keeping with Council’s strategic priorities, we are now focused on initiating a number of other affordable housing projects in our City.”

Negotiations and discussions are ongoing to find a home for a new cold weather shelter.

One previously existed at Arbutus Grove Church before Orca Place was built. While the generosity of the space was appreciated, those involved said it didn’t have the proper amenities to be a suitable location.

The most recent point-in-time homeless count for the Parksville and Qualicum Beach area in 2018 showed there is roughly 42 people without homes in the area.

Nearly 120 people from the area applied to live in Orca Place.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit