Sharing a vision of helping the homeless

The vision of The INN (Initiative for Neighbourly Nights), Steinbach’s first low-barrier transitional housing facility is more than a just a shelter according to board chair Leona Doerksen who spoke to Steinbach city council at a strategic priorities committee meeting on Tuesday.

Doerksen delivered an update that gave a clear picture of the facility’s goals and operations while debunking myths and pushing back against the idea that the city needs to change their zoning bylaw to make this facility apply for a conditional use in order to operate.

She also urged critics or those concerned to contact their board and shared the strong support they’ve received from other local agencies assisting the community’s most vulnerable.

Doerksen also referenced opposition to the project that as of now has come from unnamed sources from the business community.

A letter they received for example outlined in great detail the reasons that particular person was opposed, suggesting instead they put a shelter on “the perimeter of Steinbach” suggesting it’s no big deal to locate it so far from the centre of the city.

“Given their transient nature, as shown by their frequent visits to Steinbach Outreach, the Steinbach food bank and Soups On, distance does not appear to pose a significant obstacle to access,” the person who refused to sign the letter stated.

In-person conversations and other communication has been very different.

“So far, we haven’t received any negative feedback from businesses directly, so we don’t know who has concerns or what their concerns are,” Doerksen said.

To help address potential concerns that they say are common whenever a building like this is planned in any community, they assembled answers to frequently asked questions on their website. Those answers share their transparency, highlight that the homeless population is much more likely to experience violence than to perpetuate it, will be capped at 30 guests, will be staffed 24/7, and will direct people to the help they need including addictions recovery support when appropriate.

“I think when people think of shelters they think of those really large shelters with 200, 300 people and the kind of shelters that provide come and go service,” she said. “So, you always have lots of lineups, lots of people hanging around the building.”

“I would encourage people to try to get that picture out of your mind, because that’s not what we’re going to be,” she added. “We’re going to be a smaller shelter, just serving the 12 to 30 people that are residents in The INN.”

Doerksen added it will not increase petty crime such as those who break into sheds or burn items to stay warm. “We certainly feel it’s going to decrease it,” she said.

Despite the anonymous opposition, Doerksen said the board remains positive.

“We’re excited,” she said. “We get letters almost daily from people saying, ‘Way to go, how can I help?”

They’ve also received $100,000 in grass roots cash donations and over $120,000 pledged for in-kind support from local builders.

“We expected a NIMBY (not in my backyard) pushback and would like to address it as best we can,” she said. “But when people won’t talk to us it’s hard to give them answers and help alleviate their fears.”

She said the unnamed businesses who oppose the planned location of 447 Main Street, have yet to step up and offer an alternate location or agree to offer funding to make up the difference needed.

She pulled no punches telling council that those in the background have worked against them.

“As incredible as it sounds, we have been told by a very reputable source that at least one charity has been threatened to not stand with us because it would negatively impact donations that they rely on for the business community.”

She also criticized council’s decision to require a conditional use approval for the centre, pointing out the building in that location fits all zoning requirements.

“So, if it’s not about the building one has to conclude that it’s about the people who will be using The INN,” she said.

She understands why people support the facility but don’t want it in their backyard.

“We get it. It makes us uncomfortable to see impoverished or addicted people walking around because instinctively, even children know that everyone should have a home.”

Support has been coming in from other agencies including Backstage, Eden Housing, Salvation Army, Siloam Mission, The Mustard Seed and the Southeast Equity Coalition.

The Steinbach Ministerial Association also supports The INN offering to act as mediator between the unnamed businesses opposed and proponents of The INN.

The public hearing on the new zoning bylaw is expected to take place in March.

Updated plans and answers to frequently aske questions are available at steinbachinn.ca.