Elliot Lake councillors will be considering public comments that were made to move forward on an application for new temporary housing for men and women in two separate residences.
Maplegate Elliot Lake Women’s Group Incorporated wants to convert existing homes at 143 Frobel Drive and 7 Diefenbaker Court to housing, one for women, the other for men.
Maplegate Executive Director Melody Rose says the rezoning would allow for more transitional housing while also taking pressure off the emergency shelters, they already operate.
However, at a public hearing earlier this month, nearby residents submitted a petition against the establishment of the homes while others cited loss of property values, and possible increased drug use and crime.
Council will have to take those comments into consideration when making their decision about rezoning the properties at next Monday’s regular meeting, which will be livestreamed at elliotlake.ca.
The plan is for the 143 Frobel home to be used by women who are residents of the present centre and are looking to move out of Maplegate but face multiple barriers including long waitlists, to obtain affordable housing.
Rose adds the creation of the women’s transition home will relieve pressure on Maplegate for emergency requirements. She says the new home has five bedrooms, a washroom on each level and two entrances and will be fully furnished. The rent agreements would include hydro, cable, internet, gas heat and a landline telephone. There are security cameras for this site monitored by Maplegate.
A similar request to allow for the creation of the four-bedroom men’s shelter in a home at 7 Diefenbaker Court will be reviewed by council as well.
