Ottawa shelters camp from homeless

By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff Dec 20 2006 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
Many Vernonites are wandering cold, icy streets with nowhere to go, yet publicly owned buildings sit empty. City of Vernon officials, as well as some agencies, have floated the idea of using the Vernon Army Camp buildings for emergency shelter this winter. However, the response from the federal government has been negative. “We’re told there’s no option — no way,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham, with the city’s affordable housing committee. “It was a flat no. It (response) really concerns me.” Cunningham says an emergency shelter would be an opportunity to optimize the use of the army camp on an interim basis while long-term options are sought for Vernon. “We’re looking to local taxpayers to address the situation and taxpayers pay for the Department of National Defence,” she said. “People are desperate for a roof over their head. They’re even willing to take it without heat.” Colin Mayes, Okanagan-Shuswap MP, has been processing the requests to use the army camp. “I’ve talked to DND about it and the word we’re getting is the buildings are not insulated and not appropriate,” he said. “There is also the concern that it (shelter) could become a permanent program.”Cunningham insists the federal government must become aware of the plight of many local residents. “There’s a desperate need. Kids are showing up with mothers at existing facilities,” she said, adding there is an effort to establish an emergency shelter dedicated entirely to women. “All levels of government should be involved.” Mayes, though, says his staff have been directly involved in recent meetings regarding the homeless. He has also been lobbying Human Resources Development Canada for funding for local initiatives. “They said they’d look at something favourably for the 2007/08 budget,” said Mayes.