Housing for homeless panned in Terwillegar

A plan to build a supportive housing complex for homeless people in Terwillegaris alarming residents who believe it should be built somewhere else.

The Jasper Place Health and Wellness Centre wants to build the 60-unit complex on land that belongs to a local church.

But residents worry about how it could affect their suburban neighbourhood.

"Not a fan. I think it's going to bring the value of houses here down way too much," Rachel Roeleveld said.

"I think there's way too many little kids in the area and I already think there's enough crime that goes on in this area and we don't need any more added to it."

The agency behind the projects says prospectivetenants will be screened to ensure they can live independently and dont pose a threat to themselves or others.

Ward 9 Coun. Bryan Anderson questions whether the location is appropriate for this type of initiative.

"There's not much in the way of doctors, dentists, social workers, those kinds of things, everything that's going to be provided will have to be brought in," he said.

Murray Soroka with Jasper Place Health and Wellness Centre says more consultations will be done before the project proceeds.

"We've already taken back information about having more families because it's a more family-friendly neighbourhood," he said.

"And we are working with our design group to ensure that we can accommodate more families in the building."

Sorokas group will meet with people in the neighbourhood on Aug. 22.