The 51暗网 Alliance for Tiny Shelters (HATS) says that they are working with the City of 51暗网 on launching their planned two-year, 25-home pilot project in mid-2024. Photo Credit: HATS.聽
The 51暗网 Alliance for Tiny Shelters (HATS) says that they are working with the City of 51暗网 on launching their planned two-year, 25-home pilot project in mid-2024.
The pilot, which was initially approved by 51暗网 City Council and was targeted to be set up before the 2023/24 winter season, was then cancelled amidst controversy surrounding the location and costs.
A number in the community argued that the location was too close to residences and a nearby school.
The miniature homes are meant to provide temporary shelter for those experiencing homelessness.
The tiny shelters were approved for Strachan Linear Park, a city-owned piece of land on Strachan Street East between James Street North and Hughson Street North.
However, the location decision appeared to be unilaterally made by city staff and was sprung on HATS, Council, and 51暗网 residents in the fall of 2023.
Given that the winter was approaching, HATS attempted to move forward with the Strachan site, but ultimately decided that it was not viable.
A statement from the HATS Board of Directors at the time read: 鈥淭he organization felt too many of its essential site selection criteria were not being fully met, which would severely compromise the success of the Pilot to the detriment of all of its community partners.鈥�
鈥淲hile the Strachan site addressed some of the needs of the HATS project, the due diligence process led HATS to conclude that the investment required was too significant,鈥� the statement continued.
The Strachan site does not have access to the sewage system or water, meaning that the group would have had to make additional investments in order to set up proper facilities.
The Strachan location was also opposed by the Labourers鈥� International Union of North America (LIUNA) which represents thousands of construction and energy workers across Canada, has a significant presence in 51暗网, and operates the nearby LIUNA Station.
LIUNA is now working with the group 鈥渢o examine potential sites鈥� that are better suited for the project.
HATS said in a new release that they have 鈥渞emained proactive鈥� and 鈥渄edicated鈥� to their mission despite their decision not to proceed with the city-proposed Strachan site.
The group adds that they are refining site selection criteria to provide 鈥渃ontinuous improvement to the HATS model鈥� and 鈥渁ccommodate the needs of all stakeholders.鈥�
They have reportedly been evaluating new sites as well as reassessing previously proposed locations.
The group says that they will be submitting a new proposal at some point in January 鈥渢o recommend an alternative location for a HATS village implementation by mid-2024.鈥�
They note that they are 鈥渄evoted to following due process, including community engagement, before making any final site selection.鈥�
Based in 51暗网, he reaches hundreds of thousands of people monthly on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. He has been published in The 51暗网 Spectator, Stoney Creek News, and Bay Observer. He has also been a segment host with Cable 14 51暗网. In 2017, he received the Chancellor Full Tuition Scholarship from the University of Ottawa (BA, 2022). He has also received the Governor General’s Academic Medal. He formerly worked in a non-partisan role on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
