Katie Bevan, chair of Downtown North Bay and Waterfront (business improvement area), joins the ‘Between 2 Daves’ podcast with former councilor Dave Mendicino and Small Town Times editor Dave Dale.
The focus of the discussion is her group’s call for more inclusive consultation about any plan to consolidate supports for the community-wide issue of homelessness, addiction and mental health services.
Quoting her letter to the District of Nipissing Social Service Administration Board recently: "Last week we were involved in a roundtable regarding a permanent location for a
connections hub/warming centre. After much discussion and reviewing the DNSSAB
Homelessness System Review Report among other items we realize that the downtown
core is viewed as a prime location. The DIA strongly disagrees with this assumption and
believes further public consultation and metrics need to be reviewed in order to make
the best decision for our community as a whole."
In summary, the location of any ‘hub’ that includes a warming centre, low-barrier shelter and possibly the soup kitchen brings an impact to any nearby business and residents …. as seen with the Chippewa Street location of a low-barrier shelter and the warming centre at Fraser and Worthington this year.
Related podcasts:
DSSAB chair says warming centre, low-barrier shelter could be part of new ‘homeless hub’
New police chief outlines priorities to help make North Bay & officers feel safe, secure
Location of potential ‘Homeless Hub’ debated further by former councilor, follows up on King podcast
