Not in my neighbourhood: Residents want planned transitional housing project moved
It was a decision made back in August, but now Sudbury residents are speaking up.
City council decided to move forward with a transitional housing project and even decided on a location, but a new petition is hoping to change that.
City councillors meet with Lorraine Street residents about petition against planned transitional housing project. Oct. 24/21 (Molly Frommer/CTV Northern Ontario)
When the word got out about the proposed housing complex on Lorraine Street, off Lasalle Boulevard near Notre Dame Avenue, residents in the area started a petition with many saying they think the city should move it closer to the downtown core.
"The reason why is all the services are downtown and they have established a community for themselves downtown. So, what we feel is that they are just moving the area from one area to another area. Something like this should not be in any neighbourhood. Especially a residential area," Maria Biasucci, a nearby resident.
"My house is directly across the street. I have a young son, he is 10 years old and I don’t want him to be witnessing things that he does not need to see," said Jason Violino, another neighbourhood resident.
More than 350 people signed the petition so far.
Petition against planned transitional housing project in Sudbury. Oct. 25/21 (Molly Frommer/CTV Northern Ontario)
"We realize we do have a homeless situation that has to be dealt with, it is getting worse and worse. I really think that city council has to re-evaluate this because, again, of the surroundings and people living in the area. All the other services are downtown. It’s just common sense," said Gerry Martel, another concerned resident.
Some city councillors said that at the time when voting took place, they were in favour of the housing complex being situated on Lorraine Street, but since talking to nearby residents, they have decided another location should be discussed.
"I did make a mistake on my vote. We didn’t have enough information in front of us. Things were too rushed for us so we couldn’t make a proper decision and the money was there and we had to act on it but that’s not stopping us from re-evaluating things," said Bill Leduc, Sudbury city councillor for Ward 11.
The housing project location is part of the city's Ward 5, represented by Robert Kirwan.
"Three-hundred-fifty signatures means that there’s a lot of people in this area, but I was also told that there’s a lot of people from outside this area, who again, they aren’t worried about it being in their area. They are saying the best place for transitional housing programs like this is downtown where you got all of the services," Kirwan said.
The city councillor said he will deliver this petition at the planning committee meeting on Monday and that city staff members are planning a public meeting, which will hopefully take place within two to three weeks.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.