Church proposed for overnight drop-in centre

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/12/2023 (1030 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Brandon Neighborhood Renewal Corporation is making another attempt to secure the City of Brandon Planning Commission’s approval for an overnight drop-in centre this evening, proposing a new location at 302 Eighth St.

This follows BNRC’s prior unsuccessful bid for the former Red Cross building at 817 Rosser Ave., which faced opposition from downtown business owners.

The new location is currently home to International Gospel Christian Ministries.

Pastor Onyebuchi Onuke, the property’s owner, told the Sun that the shelter initiative, which would operate between December and March 31, 2024, aligns with the vision of his church. Since 2020, its activities have encompassed both the church and charitable initiatives such as a soup kitchen, offering meals and temporary refuge to those in need on Sundays.

Originating in Peterborough, Ont., in 2015, Onuke said the church has a focus on outreach to the homeless and has been operating as a street ministry, adding that its relocation to Brandon was guided by a divine calling in 2017.

Regarding the BNRC’s proposal, Onuke, who is also known as Buchi, emphasized the church’s willingness to extend its existing efforts to aid the homeless and vulnerable, but added there will be stringent conditions.

“These include maintaining control over their operations and upholding specific rules against providing needles, enabling substance use, or fostering an environment conducive to smoking or drinking,” he said. “The necessity of adequate staffing, security provisions, and potential utility expenses were addressed.”

Helen, Onuke’s wife, said she is also committed to supporting the cause. She highlighted the importance of providing food to the needy, even if external resources aren’t allocated, citing community support from local restaurants as a potential source.

The couple emphasized the absence of incidents or disruptions while running a similar operation in the building since 2020.

On the current proposal, Buchi admitted some residents in the vicinity have voiced apprehensions, expressing worries about their property values and safety.

“Some neighbours had experiences of individuals coming here, taking food or a cup of coffee, and then discarding remains on their properties,” he said. “This has left them unsettled and worried about the potential decline in property values.”

Acknowledging the valid concerns raised by residents, Helen Onuke said: “We understand their perspective. However, we firmly believe that offering a safe shelter outweighs the consequences of having individuals resort to the streets or affecting neighbourhood peace.”

She added they have stressed the need for proper security measures, including surveillance cameras and a fencing proposal for the property, to ensure a safe environment for both users and the neighbourhood.

Coun. Kris Desjarlais (Ward 2), who represents downtown Brandon on council, emphasized the importance of community input, pointing out the need to listen to residents’ and businesses’ concerns regarding the potential location.

“Wherever we put a drop-in centre, there will be concerns from area residents and patrons,” he told the Sun. “Our role is to mitigate these concerns through collaborative efforts involving the city, province, and federal support.”

The proposed site, he said, has elicited mixed responses from stakeholders, adding that homelessness is a broader issue and not solely linked to the location of a drop-in centre.

Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett echoed Desjarlais’ sentiments, emphasizing the planning commission’s decision-making process and the BNRC’s sincere attempts to work with the community. Fawcett refrained from influencing the commission’s decision but acknowledged the critical need for shelter as winter approaches.

Given the challenges and concerns expressed by both shelter-seekers and community members, Fawcett noted the importance of finding a middle ground, adding that there’s no perfect location that satisfies every stakeholder.

“We’ve been fortunate with the weather, but as temperatures drop, the necessity for shelter becomes more pressing,” he told the Sun. “The BNRC has earnestly endeavoured to collaborate and address community concerns, demonstrating a proactive approach in finding a resolution beneficial to all parties involved.”

BNRC executive director Rushana Newman clarified that the group would operate warm-up services only during the night at the location, keeping their current daytime operations at the Blue Door’s Ninth Street site unchanged.

She said stringent measures — including staffing, security, and enforcing no-drug policies — would be in place to ensure compliance with the conditions set by the building’s owner.

“Our Ask Auntie Program and allied organizations persistently collaborate to secure permanent housing for the users of this space,” she said. “We will continue to reach out and do check-ins with the residents, businesses and service providers within the 100-metre radius of the space to ensure that things are going smooth and that their concerns are not heightened.”

» aodutola@brandonsun.com

» X: @AbiolaOdutola