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In November of 2023, a dedicated group of people formed a committee and presented their intentions to the public. Their plan? To build The INN.
“At that time, Steinbach City Council told us very clearly, that whatever we do, it must be done right, and we must build within the zoning requirements. And so, a year later, we’re back to report on our progress!”
This from Board Chair Leona Doerksen, who sat down to answer some frequently asked questions:
Q: What are you doing to ensure it’s being “done right”?
A: We soon realized that the suggestion to build a “temporary-overnight-just-for-the-winter plan” wasn’t going to work. It wasn’t what was best for Steinbach, for the neighbourhood surrounding The INN, and it especially was not the best approach for the guests of The INN. Also, no other temporary space was found, so we started to work on a more permanent, research-backed approach to The INN, because we were committed to “doing it right”.
Q: Have you found any public support?
A: Whenever low-income or supportive housing is planned, there will be public reaction, both for and against. And, we’ve had both – just like any community. Almost everyone who has taken the time to speak with us has been incredibly supportive of The INN as a concept, but there are some people who just don’t want it in their neighbourhood – and that’s to be expected. This is not new to our city either. We’ve heard that there had been the same reaction in Steinbach years ago when the Crisis Stabilization Unit was built on Main Street, as well as when Backstage (YFC’s youth drop-in centre) was built. Over time, the community has recognized just how valuable these services are, and we can’t imagine what our community would look like without them today!
Q: What’s your response to public reaction against building The INN on Main Street?
A: We’ve always made our foundational documents available to the public, and we’ve encouraged people to discover for themselves what we’ve learned about the best approach to homelessness. As a part of our awareness campaign, we handed out two information letters to the neighbourhood around the proposed site, and we followed it up with a neighbourhood meeting. From the feedback we received, it was apparent that their biggest concerns were around safety, and that the presence of The INN would devalue properties on Main Street.
Q: So, what about the safety risks?
A: The research is clear – people who are homeless are much more likely to experience violence than they are to perpetrate violence. And yet people who are homeless are feared and become scapegoats; they’re blamed for many of society’s problems. We do admit that some people who are homeless scavenge, steal, and sometimes vandalize out of desperation. However, that is exactly why it’s so important for The INN to be right where it is. Guests will have all their essential needs provided, and they will get help finding permanent housing solutions – and this will help decrease crime in the neighbourhood. We believe it is fear that should be feared. The greatest crime is allowing our fears to stop us from doing what is right.
Q: What about de-valuing Main Street?
A: This is a valid concern. We’ve learned that this can become a problem when shelters become very large and don’t have enough staff or volunteers to work with guests to help keep the property clean and orderly. That won’t be the case with The INN. Also, some of the large shelters provide meals and services to many people who don’t stay there, so they literally have hundreds of people using their outreach services daily. The INN will be capped at just 30 guests, whom staff will be working closely with. Also, The INN won’t provide outreach services to the community at large, because that service is already being done very well in Steinbach.
Q: So, The INN will be their home until permanent housing is found?
A: Yes. Guests of The INN will have a place that’s open to them 24/7. This will address business owners’ concerns about the unacceptable situation that has been happening for years already in Steinbach, around Manitoba, and across Canada. And we really do understand their frustration. This will all change with the presence of The INN. There will no longer be a need for people who are unhoused to depend on restaurant washrooms, or to shelter in foyers, sheds, or encampments.
Q: So, is the neighbourhood on board?
A: Well, yes and no. Some people still believe The INN needs to be built somewhere else.
Q: What are you going to do about it?
A: For the past six months, we’ve been asking these concerned parties to help us find a better location that meets zoning requirements. Thus far, no other property has been offered. So, the plan remains to build at 447 Main Street. It’s an ideal location because it’s not in a densely populated residential area. The building will face Main Street, and the design is beautiful while ensuring privacy for back door neighbours. It’s also within walking distance of many places our guests will need to visit. Right now, there’s a sense of urgency because people are living rough out there, in these frigid temperatures, in tents and sheds. We must move forward with our plans, because they deserve better. Everyone needs a home.
Q: Okay, but what about a safe injection site?
A: That has never been our plan. First, we anticipate that only three or four out of ten people who come to The INN will need addictions recovery support. And they’ll have access to whatever addiction recovery support they prefer. Whether that’s Adult & Teen Challenge, a 12-step group, working with our healthcare providers, or any combination of these. We’re asking our community to help us provide care for our most marginalized, impoverished neighbours.
Q: What about the fact that some people might not want to receive help?
A: Our services will be voluntary. However, studies show that only 2% of people who are experiencing homelessness want to live that way. This is consistent with the conversations we’ve had with people living rough in and around Steinbach. So, we say – let’s do it for the 98% who need and want our help. Each person is worth it!
Q: Any last words for the general public?
A: We endorse the Steinbach City Council’s interest in building more affordable housing, such as The Bridge, which will help fill in a huge missing piece of the Homeless Puzzle. We also want to acknowledge all the wonderful organizations and churches in our community who work tirelessly day in and day out to help meet the needs of those who are going without many essentials.
Building The INN wouldn’t be possible without all the community support we’ve already received. Thank you to everyone for being so generous! Our community clearly understands that when we take care of our most marginalized vulnerable neighbours, we all benefit!
After all, it’s what love requires.
Learn more about The INN, or to donate, please visit us online at www.steinbachinn.ca.