To delay housing with regulation semantics is very wrong

Supporting vulnerable residents requires a response of inclusiveness and belonging rather than the fear often generated by incorrect information.

I am writing this letter out of concern and confusion regarding the recent decision of the City of Sarnia Committee of Adjustment for the proposed Indwell supportive housing at 353 George street. Indwell is a Canadian charity that provides housing for vulnerable adults. In collaboration with the County of Lambton, Indwell was willing to provide 35 permanent housing units. This is in line with the City of Sarnia Land Use Plan, County of Lambton’s Housing Development Plan, and addresses a number of issues in the City of Sarnia’s Community Improvement Plan.

The City directed by the Council recommended a few very minor variances in zoning bylaws to the Committee of Adjustment –these variances: slightly higher building (five stories) and landscape areas from 3, 6 meters to 2.4, 4.5 respectively. The Committee of Adjustment did not approve these variances based on: “overdevelopment of the site and that the proposed supportive housing should be considered through a zoning by-law amendment with a new definition."

From my understanding, this means Indwell has an option to appeal and/or city bylaws can be changed so a variance is not needed. Both of these options are time consuming and put the project in jeopardy. But most importantly, human suffering continues …. Homelessness

Overdevelopment: the project is proposed on a vacant lot. The project is in line with both County and City plans. There is numerous other building in the community of equal or more stories. (Embassy on Forsyth, Skyline on Mitton, Kenwick on George). The project has already been decreased from 50 units to 35 units to try and appease regulations.

My wish is not to criticize anyone but I do feel a lot of incorrect information is being circulated, creating a lot of unnecessary fear, which may have led to misdirected activism:

1. Not everyone in supportive housing has a Substance Use Disorder
2. Without stable housing and food security its next to impossible to obtain stability
3. All people need to be part of a community
4. Many of your current neighbours likely have Substance Use Disorder’s
5. We don’t get to choose our neighbours: we do get to choose our response which should be one of inclusiveness and belonging

To delay housing with regulation semantics is very wrong. I write this letter in concern for our community members struggling with homelessness, with hopes of increasing awareness and that projects such as Indwell can be expedited.

– Wendy McKay