Concerns over transitional housing locations were raised again at Greater Napanee council this week, after a follow-up report addressed questions from a June 11 public meeting.
Staff, with input from Prince Edward Lennox and Addington Social Services (PELASS), explained that there is no obligation for PELASS to consult before opening transitional housing. PELASS usually notifies neighbours one to two weeks after a home becomes active, which worried Mayor Terry Richardson.
Provincial rules also prevent the town from limiting where transitional housing can be placed or setting minimum distances between homes. Councillor Bill Martin took issue with this, pointing out that a new transitional housing proposal at 223 Centre Street would be only a block from another unit on John Street. Several residents had raised similar concerns with Martin about clustering.
CAO Matthew Grant suggested these issues could be discussed further at the upcoming PELASS housing summit.
