No firm opening date set for emergency shelter in Summerside

The 10-bed emergency shelter in Summerside has been delayed yet again.

The initial hope from the province was to have the overnight facility for people without housing in Summerside up and running before winter set in last year.

Then officials with the province said the small complex made up of modular units would open the week of Oct. 15.

Now the provincial government isn't committing to a specific date. However, at a legislative standing committee on Wednesday, Jason Doyle, director of housing operations with the province, said the hope is to have the shelter up and running by the end of the month.

"It'll be open before the snow flies for sure," Doyle said.

"We're working hard on the operational side. We're ready to go on the operational side. We have a partnership with The Equality Project. Staff are hired. We're just in a bit of a waiting game with the construction piece.

"And I expect… I don't want to give a date, but before the end of October we will be open."

CBC News asked to speak with both Doyle and Minister of Housing, Land and Communities Steven Myers, but neither of them was made available for an interview.

In a written statement, a provincial spokesperson said the delay was due to "unforeseen" construction challenges.

"In this instance, our contractors ran into unforeseen challenges with mechanical and electrical systems that were uncovered after the modular units were placed. That also includes unexpected issues with the existing sprinkler system and ductwork. These issues required revisions to the work plan," the email said.

Staff have... been conducting walkabouts to connect with vulnerable individuals in the area who could utilize the shelter.— P.E.I. government statement on the Summerside shelter

The province said contractors have hired more workers in an effort to complete the project before winter sets in.

A non-governmental organization called The Equality Project will run day-to-day operations at the shelter, with the province providing oversight.

"In the meantime, staff have been hired and gone through training as well as shadowing staff at Park Street [a similar shelter in Charlottetown]. Staff have also been conducting walkabouts to connect with vulnerable individuals in the area who could utilize the shelter," the province's email said.

While advocates who provide services to vulnerable people in Summerside are happy to see a shelter coming to the area, some are upset the service has been delayed multiple times.

"It's a lot bigger than just being concerned about the opening date. It's very obvious to us now that the 10 beds quite honestly are not going to cut it," said Elysha Whitlock of The Village, a community organization that provides food and supplies to vulnerable Islanders.

Whitlock said she knows of about 50 people in the Summerside area who are homeless or at the risk of becoming homeless.

"Three to five years ago, I would sit here and agree that we don't have the numbers to require an emergency shelter. We certainly do now," she said.

Whitlock believes it's "pure luck" no one died from sleeping rough last winter.

"I think they are losing hope," she said of potential shelter users. "We need it and we need it now."

Gordie Whitlock is the president of the board that oversees the Summerside Community Fridge. He too wants to see the shelter open before winter.

"It's critical, there is no question," he said. 

"Anything is going to help, and a 10-bed shelter may be enough, it may not be enough. I guess we will find that out, but it's something," he said, adding that there's a major need to address underlying issues that could lead to homelessness, such as addiction.

Whitlock acknowledges that the community fridge for Islanders dealing with food insecurity has attracted people who have loitered in the area and caused disturbances. Most of those issues have been dealt with for now, but he understands people living near the shelter location on Frank Mellish Street being a little worried.

"I think we have to provide things for them to do, programming for whatever they want to do," he said of the people the shelter is aimed at.

The shelter is located right beside Summerset Manor, a long-term care facility, and not far from the Prince County Hospital. There is also seniors' housing in the area.

The City of Summerside put some conditions on the province when it was asked to approve the shelter going in the chosen location, including 24-hour security and fencing.

J.P. Desrosiers, Summerside's deputy CAO, said he toured the under-construction facility along with fire and police personnel.

"We certainly see the light at the end of the tunnel," he said. "That facility will be up and operating in the near future."

Since the homeless population continues to grow, with some folks sleeping outside in public spaces or trespassing onto private property to access shelter, he added, "We're happy and eager to see the progress being made at the shelter." 

Desrosiers agrees with advocates that 10 beds likely won't be enough and the shelter will have to expand, he said.