Victoria's tent city solution creating headaches

When a judge ordered residents of Victoria's tent city to pack up before August 8, their primary destination was a re-purposed seniors care facility on Johnson Street.

Now, some neighbours of that facility are complaining that there has been a sudden increase in disturbing behaviour, large vocal crowds loitering outside, public drinking and drug use.

Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps told Khalil Akhtar from CBC's On The Islandthose issues are just temporary.

"All of the issues that we're hearing and we are hearing some are growing pains, moving-in pains."

Helps says people have only been at the residence for just over a week and the last people finished moving in yesterday.

"Everyone knows the building was rushed so that people could meet the deadline that the judge set for tent city ... So I think everyone needs a chance to settle in and have some furniture so that they can sit inside and not outside."

Fire department called5times in 24 hours

Mayor Helps saysthe biggest problem has been the fire alarm. She says the building has extremely sensitive fire alarms,and there was an instance when the fire department came five times within 24 hours.

"If one person is having a cigarette in their room, it triggers an alarm that goes off in the whole building and then the fire department comes," she said."That is just a building glitch that is a huge disruption to everybody."

Helps saysthe fire department is working with the Portland Hotel Society who run the building to work out an interim solution while theyget a new fire detection system in place.

She also saysthe building is fully staffed,and there is a 24-hour security service present.

"I understand there are growing pains and issues and thank the neighbours for their patience," she said, adding that she had received some supportive emails from the strata next door.

"Some of the people in there have literally not lived inside for eight years. It's hard to imagine that, and it's very challenging."

With files from On The Island

To listen to the interview, click on the link labelled Victoria's tent city solution causes headaches