Timmins residents say homeless shelter needs to be relocated
Timmins resident Robert Boucher has started a Facebook group calling for the Living Space homeless shelter to be moved out of a residential area.
In just a few days, nearly 500 people have joined the group and all are sharing their concerns about how their neighborhood has changed since the shelter arrived.
Boucher lives in the south end of Timmins, just a few blocks away from the Living Space homeless shelter.
His property backs on to a popular trail and he said ever since the shelter moved near his home in the fall of 2021, he's witnessed an increase in disturbances and crime on the trail and on his property.
He said calls to police have been futile.
"They can steal from any of these yards and as soon as (they’re) back on the trail, they could be anywhere," he said.
“I’m hoping that we can maybe start a Go Fund Me and literally sue the city and charge them for wages. We deserve all the training that needs to be done if we have to deal with the homeless, if we have to deal with mental health issues, if we have to deal with substance abuse people, we need that training. I have to shovel up needles in my yard all the time.”
The Facebook page, called 'Move Living Space!" includes posts from followers about their experiences and voicing the need for change.
Boucher said it has had a major impact on the area.
“Most people don’t even let their kids out and play anymore, like, it’s just too dangerous,” he said.
“If you see a bunch of people walking by, and they’re asking kids for cigarettes, c’mon."
- Download the CTV News app now and get local alerts on your device
- Get local breaking news and updates sent to your email inbox
Timmins Mayor Michelle Boileau said the decision to move Living Space to its current Spruce Street South location from near city hall was “a decision based on evidence.”
Boileau said the shelter needs to be near services such as transit and others that help clients.
“In response to the call to bring it further out of the city centre, I would suppose we would just say that would actually be harmful than good to the clients that they’re serving at the emergency shelter,” she said.
She said city officials will use the Facebook page as a means to communicate with the concerned citizens.
“We’re seeing this as an opportunity actually to engage with the residents, of the area, to engage with the people who feel so strongly about the location and you know the issues that may be resulting from the location.”
Boucher said the shelter needs to be closer to where people can get real help, like the hospital for example – not a residential neighbourhood where he said homeowners are struggling to protect themselves and their properties.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.