With the temporary 40-bed shelter at the former Carnegie Avenue firehall now closed, Peterborough’s homelessness portfolio co-chair sees more encampments in the offing in the absence of more permanent measures.
The Carnegie Avenue location, staffed by Brock Mission, opened as a temporary shelter on August 25th. By the time it closed on November 22nd, it had seen just more than 360 overnight stays.
Councillor Alex Bierk says the number of unhoused seeking shelter “has remained pretty static” in relation to the spaces available.
Councillor Bierk says while providing the Carnegie Avenue shelter was helpful, he doesn’t see temporary shelters having a role in a long-range strategy around homelessness.
Councillor Bierk says clearing encampments shouldn’t be viewed as any kind of viable option.
(Written by: Paul Rellinger)
