The Oakville Beaver, W ednesday January 15, 2003 - A 5 Emergency housing report passes first hurdle at Halton Region Health and social committee endorses made-in-Halton solution By Howard Mozel OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Halton Region's Health and Social Services Committee has endorsed the final report of the Emergency Housing Advisory Group, with most members unequivocal in their support for the plan. Undaunted by a "wonderful, but long process." Regional Chair Joyce Savoline said the group should be proud of their made-in-Halton solution, which won't make everyone happy, but will now set the stage for finding an emergency shelter site. "At the end of the day, the people who need our help will truly receive our help," she said. The panel was stmck last year to assist the Region of Halton, the Salvation Army and the Town of Oakville by providing cri teria for locating and operating a shelter. The group's report addressed specific emergency housing issues like community need, location criteria, housing operations, safety and security, the planning process and public consultation. Its final report focuses on Oakville which has no permanent emergency shelter - and recommends as mandatory the spe cific criteria for locating, operating and communicating with the public about emergency housing. According to the document, the group was inclined to recommend a 10-bed shel ter model be adopted, with a pair of such facilities in two locations to start with. Based on several factors - not the least of which is funding - the panel now recom mends a single, 20 to 25-bed facility to start, which could later be expanded to a maximum 40 beds. At Tuesday's Health and Social S e r v i c e s Committee meet ing, group mem ber and shelter proponent. Major Ray Braddock, of the Salvation Army. said exposing the need for the shel ter alone was worth all the Regional Chair effort. Now Joyce Savoline armed with the report, though, he said they can go on with the business of helping others. "The document being presented here today is an excellent document," he said. Group member and former regional councillor Kathy Graham said she is par ticularly gratified by the "continually trans parent and open process" that resulted in the final report. She admitted, however, that the most difficult part of this entire venture will now be site selection. "The criteria will be put to the test when the search begins," said Graham, who added that what she called "people zoning" is illegal and will not be tolerated. Graham - who believes shelters should be planned in advance like church or school sites - also suggested that Halton Region should own the land on which such facilities are located. This, she said, was a personal idea, one not formally agreed upon by the group. This prompted Savoline to make a motion that the Region indeed purchase land for the shelter. Despite the point made by Burlington councillor Jack Dennison that other options should be considered before they agree to buy land, the Committee voted in favour of S a v o 1i n e ' s motion. Dennison who made it clear he remains unsure whether the cost of a shel ter should be borne by Halton taxpayers - also Oakville Councillor wanted a minor Jeff Knoll change to the wording of the recommendations, namely that the Committee "receive" the report rather than "endorse" it. Oakville council lor Jeff Knoll disagreed and said this was a time for the Region to show leadership, a sentiment shared by the remainder of the Committee. None of the shelter's more vocal opponents from the public appeared at Tuesday's meeting. Opposition to the emergency shelter first surfaced last June when it was revealed the Region and Salvation Army were looking at a site on Eighth Line in the Iroquois Ridge area. The public outcry eventually led to the withdrawal of the Eighth Line proposal and the formation of the advisory committee. The report will now be forwarded to Regional Council for consideration on Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chamber. The public can request the opportunity to speak before Council by contacting the Clerk's office at 905-825-6000 ext. 7254. After being reviewed by Council, the report will be referred to Halton's four municipal councils and the Salvation Army. Sithe says too many uncertainties in Ontario's electricity market (Continued from page A1) tricity prices at 4.3 cents per kilowatt hour for small users has further damp ened the outlook for new investment in generation, he added. "This is not a market that's con ducive to new investm ent," said Cramer. "It's a difficult time to be in the power business." The American-based company had originally said it hoped to cash in on the opportunity offered by deregulation of the electrical industry in Ontario. It also told local residents, who expressed concerns about potential noise and air pollution, that its plant would offer consumers competition in the market, as well as a cleaner form of electricity generation. Construction of the Sithe facility is expected to take at least two years to complete, so a plant couldn't be opera tional before 2005, even if the company started work tomorrow. However, Cramer said he doesn't believe the major issues surrounding Ontario's deregulation of electricity to be resolved until after the next provin cial election. M B u y E x c e lle n t F u r n itu r e at M a n u fa c tu re r' s P ric e s !!! ONLY 5 DAYS LEFT T op Q uality Furniture Sofas LoveSeats Chairs O ccasional T ables Leather Furniture D inettes Com plete B edroomSuites F o r th e b e s t s e le c tio n w e u rg e y o u to A R R IV E EARLY, Emergency Housing Advisory Group's recommendations Highlights of the final report of the Emergency Housing Advisory Group include: · The size, design and fit of the facility must have regard for the existing neighbour hood and be compatible with the surrounding area. · It must have accessibility to local transit, no greater than half a kilometer to a bus route. · The facility must have access to community ameni ties and supports. · It must be separated from a group home by at least 800 meters and from other emer gency shelters by at least two kilometers. · The shelter's occupancy maximum must never exceed 40 beds. Temporary sleeping arrangements to accommo date overflow will not be allowed. · The facility should not be placed on a local road within a low-density residential area, but rather on a larger arterial or collector road. · Separation requirements from schools were discussed but abandoned because a municipality cannot legally incorporate it into a zoning bylaw. It would also not be defensible under the Human Rights Code if made a manda tory criterion. The committee did acknowledge, however, that the issue remains of con cern to some members of the public. · Every shelter operator shall strive to create a com fortable and inviting home like environment that is respectful of the basic human rights of the individual. · All operators must enter into a purchase of service agreement with the Region of Halton which reflects the operational guidelines (e.g. screening, transportation, 24hour staffing.) · Potential residents must undergo a screening process developed by Halton Region no later than the next business day. · The screening process must include an appropriate referral process to other com munity agencies for issues such as drug abuse etc. · The facility must establish a personal contract with each resident outlining rules and responsibilities as a con dition of residency. To view the report, visit www.region.halton.on.ca and click on the Emergency Housing Advisory Group icon. Hard copies are avail able at the front reception of the Region's administrative office, 115I Bronte Rd. The group's phone line (905-8256000 ext. 7998) will also pro vide instructions for obtaining the report. F o r th e fir s t tim e e v e r in B u r lin g to n , B a s s e tt F u r n itu r e a n d o th e r fa c to r ie s a re h a v in g a H o m e S h o w . T h is S h o w w ill b e h e ld a t B u r lin g to n 's fin e s t fa c ility . Salt on for ONLY 5MORE DAYS!!! Southwest comer of Burloak and North Service Road Entertainment U nits A ccessories Eclectiques The Burlington Convention Centre 1 1 2 0 BURL0AK DRIVE, BURLINGTON , Carved Chair, 1Antique White Finish Reg. $ 1,337 ,, o 2 Drawer Night Stand Reg. $879 NOW $ 6 6 8 50% O f f T h is N e w Y e a r s , w h y n o t g iv e d a n c in g a w h ir l? D an ce is th e universal expression o f joy - w hat b e tte r way to celebrate th e N ew Year? Let the rhy th m take you in to th e N ew Year at Fred Astaire D ance-Studios. 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