People are sleeping in tents across from Confederation Building. Here's why
'We want our dignity back,' says protester Kerri-lynn Stanley
Around a dozen homeless protesters have pitched tents across the street from Confederation Building in St. John's — and they say they won't leave until they find safe and affordable housing.
Shawn Nosworthy, who organized the protest and has been living near the provincial legislature since Monday evening, told CBC News the group is there because homelessness isn't a choice.
"It makes me feel good that there are other people that are willing to stand and actually fight for the right that we matter."
Standing near the statue of Gaspar Corte-Real, demonstrators held cardboard signs that read, "Support Not Money" and "Housing Is a Human Right," while supporters delivered bottled water and snacks.
Kerri-lynn Stanley says she is homeless, and because of physical and mental health challenges, it's difficult for her to find work or a place to live.
She doesn't want people to give her spare change, she says — she wants a roof over her head and a stable place she can call home.
"We want our dignity back," said Stanley, who says being homeless and living in a tent is scary.
Robert Osmond used to live in a house but was evicted because of repairs and renovations. A month after his eviction, he says, he discovered the cost of rent for his previous accommodations had doubled from what he paid when he lived there.
He's now living in a tent with his partner. Many shelters won't accommodate him because he has a service dog, he said.
"It's causing me a lot of emotional, mental stress that we just don't need right now," said Osmond, who says living in a tent along Prince Philip Drive is noisy and cold.
"We all need homes. We all deserve a safe environment and a place to feel safe and rest our heads."
A year ago, Nosworthy says, he was living in a home in Ontario with a decent paying job. He recently moved back to Newfoundland to start his own tile business but hasn't found much work.
He hasn't been able to find another job in construction, he said, which meant he could no longer afford a roof over his head.
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A couple of representatives from the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation visited protesters Tuesday, said Nosworthy. The protesters told the representatives they won't leave until they're offered an affordable, safe and private place to live, he said.
The only member of the House of Assembly who had spoken with protesters as of early Tuesday afternoon was NDP Leader Jim Dinn, who dropped off coffee and muffins.
Nosworthy said he isn't worried about the cold weather just yet but he'll stay put when it arrives.
"It's not ideal," said Nosworthy, standing in front of a row of tents, "but it's home."
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