It Is A Win-Win Situation

Two of Toronto's major issues will be dealt with.....homelessness and lack of money. It will provide housing for the homeless, allowing social housing to be allocated to some working poor families and it is being paid for by the feds.

T.O. Beach Residents Have Mixed Reaction To Housing Project
Monday November 19, 2007
CityNews.ca Staff
Residents of an east end Toronto neighbourhood have mixed feelings about a new community housing project that could be in operation by this time next year.

Under the plan a vacant banquet hall at the corner of Woodbine Ave. and Gerrard St. East would undergo a $4.4 million, federally-funded facelift to turn it into housing for the homeless and mentally ill.

The proposal was up for approval in city hall last week, the same time Beaches-East York Councillor Sandra Bussin found out about it.

That's drawn the ire of area residents who say they should've been better informed.

"We're not saying, 'Don't come here.' We just need to know who's coming here. There's a ton of kids around here," said one local man, Brett Heard. "A huge public school two blocks from here and a day care being put up the street. We just need to know who's here. It's the difference between sending my daughter to the streetcar or walking my daughter."

Others were less concerned, saying everyone has to learn to live together and get along in the community.

"I don't think it would affect me at all," said area resident Brendan Murphy. "I'm sure the decision wasn't taken lightly. I have no problems with it, no."

"I think it's great. They need help," agreed Gary Coughlan. "There's so many of them that are on the street now, they can't fend for themselves. So perfect. More help the better."

The housing plan isn't a done deal just yet but if it's approved it could be in operation by December 2009. A community meeting to discuss the project is planned for November 27. It's one of three housing initiatives pending approval.