Salvation Army users offer differing opinions on Vanier move

Citizens' group SOS Vaniermet again Sunday to plan its appeal of the City of Ottawa's approval of the Salvation Army'snew complex on Montreal Road.

But what do the people who use the Salvation Army's services think of the proposal?

• Salvation Army's Vanier shelter gets council's OK

Last monthcouncil voted 16-7 to approve the complex,which includes a 140-bed emergency shelter. SOS Vanierplans to appeal the decision to the Ontario Municipal Board.

CBCNews spoke Sunday to three people who use the Salvation Army's services, and asked them for their thoughts about relocating to Montreal Road.

Andrew Frizzle

Andrew Frizzle, 29, has been homeless for three years. Heeithersleeps on the streets or stays at the Ottawa Mission, but he also uses the Salvation Army's services.

"I like being downtown a lot.Vanieris a ways away. You could really walk there if you need to, though.Vanieriswalkable.

The bus is one thing [but]not everybody can afford the bus. Being downtown is valuable."

David

David has been homeless for a year-and-a-half and is currently takingthe Salvation Army's residential life skills program.

CBC has agreed to withhold his last name at his request.

"The way I saw how the [Vanier] building's going to be like, I find it's going to be more secure for the homeless. But I know there's a big issue with [the Salvation Army] moving out there.

The public has to understand [that] nobody is perfect. We all have our faults and if we're willing to change, that'll be up to the one person. It's not up to the public, the way how we are. We shouldn't be judged for who we are because we're all human, we all have mistakes, we all have our faults.

I think them moving out to Vanier, it might help out a little bit more with the homeless."

Andr Garceau

Andr Garceau has been homeless for 10 years and uses the Salvation Army's services. His response has been translated from French.

"Vanier will be worse off than it is now. We're not all saints, [but] we're not all evil either. Some have psychological issues, but there is [drug and alcohol] consumption. It's here. We can't hide it.

Be it here or there, people will be consuming drugs. Vanier isn't like a brothel, but it's not like a very rich neighbourhood either. If the shelter moves there, we should expect more criminality. Criminality is everywhere, but now it's going to be localized in one central point."

SOS Vanier raises $26K

SOS Vanier said Sunday it hasraised more than $26,000 in the last few weeks, and hoped to raise about $200,000 overthe next six months.

• Vanier community vows to keep fighting Salvation Army shelter

"We have a fundamental problem with how they deal with housing and homelessness in Ottawa. We believe that shelters are a thing of the past, especially large shelters like the mega-facility they want to put on Montreal Road," said DrewDobson, the group's spokesperson and owner ofFinnigan'sPub on Montreal Road.

"We think that housing first is the way to go. We think that resources should be spent on affordable housingrather than shelters. In my view, shelters are just warehousing the problem."

He said the group is working to make sure the problem of homelessness is a main topic in next year'smunicipal and provincial elections.