Emotions run high at affordable housing meeting

More than 200 people, some angry and emotional, packed an information session Wednesday night to have their say on a new housing project by the Calgary Drop-In Centre.

Cat calls and interruptions dominated the information session as residents from the Greenview neighbourhood voiced their concerns on the project.

The meeting comes after the Drop-In Centre announced it purchased the Quality Inn, located on McKnight Boulevard and Edmonton Trail, for affordable housing.

Resident Roy Shelley, who lives near the future affordable housing site, said many in the area are upset the deal was kept secret for so long.

"They're in the wrong location for the endeavour they are trying to accomplish," Shelley said. "This is not a place for the homeless."

Drop-In Centre executive director Debbie Newman said screening procedures will ensure the safety of everyone involved.

"We are looking at income and we're looking at, obviously, other factors. You have to go through a police security clearance check," Newman said. "That's something that no landlord does."

 Many in the crowd, like resident Keith Nixon, just wanted to know what the centre is doing to keep them safe.

"I want to be able to drive by here every day and not know they're here," Nixon.

Some of the residents also said they feel Greenview already has accepted enough low income developments and social agencies.