On June 27 of last year, construction began on the first tiny home to populate 21 Kains Street, where, eventually, 40 such homes and other amenities will provide safe, affordable housing in a downtown neighbourhood community.A community of more than just housing, it’s a new beginning.
The Project Tiny Hope partnership includes the YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin, Doug Tarry Homes and Sanctuary Homes.
The community will be a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom rental units to accommodate adults, youth and families.
And 15 months later, the countdown to move-in day is underway for the residents who will call Project Tiny Hope their new home.
On Oct. 1, 16 residents will move into the new community, “that is the culmination of years of work by a committed group of volunteers and represents a great step forward in sustainable, high-performance housing that is also affordable,” advised Lindsay Rice, YWCA executive director.
Speaking with Rice last June, she enthused, “We are just so excited to be moving forward with this and building more affordable housing with supports because we know it is needed.“There are just so many great things happening in St. Thomas to support folks right now, and we’re just glad to be part of that overall community mission.”
Now a new home requires furnishings and other fixings to complete the picture, and those amenities were taken care of this month.
The final preparations for the first tranche of tiny homes began last week with the placement of furniture donated through the Furnishing the Future – Adopt a Home Campaign.
Melissa Kempf with the YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin explains the campaign allows for the purchase of essential furniture and appliances needed to make each of the 40 units a comfortable, welcoming place to live.
“We’ve already raised enough money to buy furniture for 20 of our 40 units, and with the furniture we are putting in today, we will actually have 10 units with people moving in on Oct. 1.”
Rice noted in a media release that the initial move-in of residents, “Is an exciting moment where we can truly see our vision from seven years ago come to fruition, as we know very soon, we will have our first phase of residents living, growing and creating the community we always dreamed of.”
And on Wednesday of this week, a ‘planting bee’ was held where a group of trees were planted by volunteers from several local landscaping firms, under the direction of Tom Intven of Canadale Nurseries, who provided the trees.
As the trees were carefully planted in the front and back yards, Intven agreed it was beginning to feel like a home.“It looks awesome, doesn’t it? I think it’ll be a wonderful place for people to live, and it’ll be a great community here as well. The design of it lends itself to that. Trees are an important part of our lives, and they’ll give shade in the backyard here for the homeowners and a real sense of being close to nature.”
We asked about the tree he and a group of volunteers from area landscaping firms had just finished planting.
“This is a hackberry, a common hackberry. It’s a native tree. It’s very durable, very resistant to drought stress. Very free of disease, too. And it’s native, you bet. All the trees being planted at the site here are native.”
Intven continued, “So I was contacted by Lindsay from the Y to see if I could coordinate the landscapers from St. Thomas to do the tree planting. And the response was overwhelming. They all wanted to be part of this project.
“So we have Beamish Landscaping, Second Nature Land Design, Kettle Creek Landscaping and Sparta Tree.
“And they’re all here today and donating their time free of charge and helping to plant these trees. So it’s awesome.”
With Canadale Nurseries donating the trees.
With a barren brownfield slowly transforming into a green oasis, Rice stresses, “Being able to watch our residents turn the key to the next step of their journey is incredibly rewarding. Living independently with dignity in supportive housing will empower them to lead fulfilling lives while receiving the care they need.”
The as-yet-unnamed community will be operated by the YWCA, and 20 units will be for women or women-led families, 10 for youth ages 16-24, four units are for Community Living Elgin, and four are for Indigenous People.
Rice explains they all will be affordable rents, “and that is one of the things I keep a close eye on.
“The provincial ministry and CMHC both do an analysis annually around affordability, and so we are keeping an eye on that.
“The cost in our community keeps changing. These tiny houses are going to be affordable, but not at those social housing rates. They will be a little closer to the $700 mark.”
UPGRADES ON THE WAY AT THE INN
The city’s emergency shelter, The INN, was the focus of considerable attention this past week, with a funding announcement and a move by the city to foster an improved relationship between the shelter and neighbouring businesses.
The administrative team, led by executive director Brian Elliot (pictured below) at The INN used the occasion of their Annual General Meeting on Tuesday (Sept. 23) to announce that the facility was the recipient of a $22,600 capital grant courtesy of the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
MPP Rob Flack was on hand for the funding announcement and noted, “The work The INN St. Thomas Elgin does is essential for our community.”
Over the next six months, the funds will be used to purchase equipment and furnishings “that will enhance shelter facilities and create a safer, more comfortable environment for the vulnerable population in St. Thomas,” according to a media release.
The release went on to note, “The project addresses the increasing number of individuals seeking refuge at The INN and the growing demand for safe and accessible shelter services in our community.”
Further confirmation that the homeless population may not be declining, as promoted by the city’s social services staff.
While the goal is to effectively eliminate homelessness in the city by 2027, it appears that the number of homeless individuals is on the increase, according to information presented to city council earlier this month.
The report noted, “Throughout 2024, the emergency shelter provided support for people experiencing homelessness 24/7. 265 unique people were served at The INN, which represents an increase of 38 individuals from the previous year.”
The report goes on to note, “Efforts to expand services to meet the increasing needs continued throughout the year.”
The total number of bed nights (the total number of individuals times the length of their stay) was 15,825.
The St. Thomas-Elgin 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan 2024 Progress Report included a statistical summary of The INN.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation funding will be used to expand the kitchen and storage areas and include the purchase of new kitchen appliances.
Other improvements include the installation of security cameras and the addition of a medical treatment table and cabinet.
“These upgrades will ensure that more individuals experiencing homelessness or precarious housing have access to a safer, more comfortable environment – a basic, yet powerful foundation for stability and recovery.”
The release advises, “These upgrades will ensure that more individuals experiencing homelessness or precarious housing have access to a safer, more comfortable environment – a basic, yet powerful foundation for stability and recovery.”
And Flack added, “Everyone deserves a safe place to stay, and these upgrades will help ensure people experiencing homelessness have that.”
The funding will help mitigate shortfalls inside the shelter; however, apart from ongoing criticism centred around its downtown location, there continue to be complaints related to the external appearance and lack of outside amenities.
As such, the city this week circulated a memo to neighbouring businesses from Matt Byl, facilities manager.
The memo advises, “As you know, the city is actively working to address homelessness in our community. We understand the challenges this issue presents, particularly in the downtown core, and we are dedicated to finding long-term, compassionate solutions that balance the needs of all residents and stakeholders.”
Byl notes, the city has made several recent investments to improve safety and cleanliness. These include enhanced exterior lighting, the installation of additional CCTV cameras at the White Street parking lot, and numerous cleanups throughout the summer.
“As part of the next phase of improvements, we are planning alterations to the fencing at the front of The INN, and the installation of gates in the alley between The INN and the Back Alley.
“These changes are intended to improve safety, accessibility, and overall conditions in the area.”
Hand in hand with these improvements, the city is seeking feedback from neighbouring businesses “to better understand access requirements for the alley and to hear any ideas or solutions you may wish to share.
You can contact Byl at city hall at 519-631-1680, ext. 4280, with your feedback.
NATIONAL HONOUR FOR CITY’S POLICE CHIEF
“If we’re healthy on the inside, we will be healthy on the outside to deliver services to the community.”
It’s a philosophy espoused on numerous occasions by St. Thomas Police Chief Marc Roskamp.
And in November 2022, as Roskamp readied himself to assume the top spot in the St. Thomas Police Service, he advised, “It will be a goal of mine and my administration to work collaboratively with the community and all of those in the community who can help us provide community wellness.”But it is also about the well-being of the men and women of the police service, stressed Roskamp.
“From a public safety perspective, I believe so strongly in the health of the community and its citizens. And one of my main priorities will also be to build up the resiliency of our members of the police family.
“Because when one member is struggling, then I believe we are all struggling as a team.”
That pledge three years ago to strive to protect the health of the community was recognized this past Wednesday when the St. Thomas Police Services Board announced that Roskamp has been appointed to the Order of Merit of the Police Forces.
The national honour is awarded by the Governor General on behalf of His Majesty King Charles III.
“Chief Roskamp’s deep roots in the community and commitment to service have elevated not only the police service, but the city as a whole.”
”The Order of Merit of the Police Forces was established in 2000 and recognizes distinguished service and contributions to policing in Canada. The focus is on merit, community impact, and dedication to duty over an extended period.”
The honour recognizes Roskamp’s 28 years of exemplary service to policing and unwavering commitment to community safety, leadership and public trust.
He has served as St. Thomas Police Chief since 2023.
Board chairman Dan Reith noted the national recognition, “Is a testament to his dedication, integrity and exceptional leadership.”
Reith continued, “Chief Roskamp’s deep roots in the community and commitment to service have elevated not only the police service, but the city as a whole.”
In a media release, Roskamp observed, “This honour reflects not only my journey, but the collective efforts of an entire organization committed to public safety, compassion and professionalism.”
He concluded, “I remain deeply committed to serving the people of St. Thomas with integrity and respect.”
He will be formally invested into the Order during a ceremony at Rideau Hall.
FOR THE CALENDAR
A full afternoon of activities is planned for Orange Shirt Day/National Day for Truth and Reconciliation this Tuesday (Sept. 30) outside city hall and at St. Thomas Public Library.The free community event for all ages is being billed as “an afternoon of learning, reflection, and community connection.”
It begins at noon with a flag-raising and proclamation in front of city hall, featuring speeches, traditional dancing, and drumming performances.
Activities shift to the library around 1:15 p.m., for lunch (while supplies last), vendor booths, educational displays, and a live hip-hop performance.
It wraps up with a film screening at 2:30 p.m. in the Carnegie Room.
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