‘Strike back at stigma’
Brenda Main asks members of the public to remember one thing before forming opinions about a proposed affordable housing project pitched for the Allen’s Motel property.
“They’re people. They’re you and I,” said Main, executive director of the Canadian Mental Health Association – Kings County Branch (CMHA-KINGS).
CMHA-KINGS has identified the Allen’s Motel property in Kentville as a potential site for a 12-unit affordable housing project that would include an on-site property manager.
“We would basically be looking for tenants who would value being in the place,” explained Main, addressing a crowd of about 150 people at a community meeting CMHA-KINGS hosted in the Kentville fire hall March 2.
Main stressed there is a serious lack of safe, affordable housing options in Kings County.
“It has become increasingly difficult to find affordable, safe and convenient studio and one-bedroom apartments in Kings County,” she said.
CMHA-KINGS wants to do something to remedy this lack.
“Shelter is a basic human right. Discrimination on the basis of mental health, or on income, or on family size, is not allowed in Nova Scotia although we all know that it occurs,” said Main.
The March 2 community meeting began with a brainstorming session that encouraged members of the public to share their concerns regarding the affordable housing proposal.
Dave Corkum, a former mayor of Kentville, expressed concerns about the potential impact on property values or resale in the area, and the closure of the motel.
“I’m concerned about the loss of the current property’s present use. We have very limited properties in Kentville for tourists and visitors to come stay,” he said.
Several residents asked for more details about the project, specifically regarding how the site will be monitored to ensure the safety of the neighbours and school children attending the nearby Kings County Academy.
“Police checks would be done to make sure that people don’t have criminal records before we accept them as tenants. We want our tenants to be safe,” said Main, who stressed everyone living there would have access to support and be well suited for an affordable housing environment.
Main added CMHA-KINGS has already noted success with other projects providing housing supports to people living with mental illness.
“We choose tenants who are appropriate for the neighbourhood and who have a drive to move forward,” she said.
Ken Greer, chairman of the Affirmative Industries Association in Halifax, agreed to participate in the meeting as a panelist with experience working with an awardwinning innovative housing program for mental health consumers.
“The idea of a mentored support in place for folks with mental health is not a threat… it’s just folks that need a hand up rather than a handout,” said Greer.
Former Kings North MLA Jim Morton, a social worker with management experience in mental health and addictions, disclosed that he lives near the proposed location. He challenged his community to seize the opportunity to “strike back at stigma.”
“I’m not concerned. I don’t feel afraid,” said Morton.
“I never once wondered who was staying in the motel, whether I was safe or unsafe depending on who was there.”
CMHA board member Marilyn Hebb asked the crowd to consider that, on average, one in five people are living with mental illness.
The affordable housing project is still in the early changes, and would require a zoning change through the Town of Kentville to allow for residential use of the Allen’s Motel property.