Small sleeping cabins hope to solve big problems in Kingston, Ont.
A new project to put those experiencing homelessness in sleeping cabins is finding success in its first few months in Kingston, Ont.
Barry Shea is one of those who use the cabins. After a decade of sleeping on the street, he says he’s happy to have the four walls.
“It’s not much, but it’s home,” he says while giving CTV News Ottawa a tour. "You’re safe, you’re dry, you’re not cold…It’s a place I can call home. Which I haven’t had."
The 10 cabins have been set up outside an arena west of Kingston’s downtown for the summer. The project by Our Livable Solutions is meant to be a transition, and a step towards finding a permanent place to live.
Shea says he feels he has stability.
"I’ve got a nurse coming in, I’ve got a worker, I’ve got an occupational therapist, everything I need to survive," he says.
Executive Director Chrystal Wilson says that’s the goal.
"While they’re with us they’ll work on life skills, get connected to different services agencies, depending on their needs and work towards independence."
Kingston council approved the cabins in response to the growing problem of homelessness, and says a study shows it’s less expensive than playing for people to stay in hotels.
It was created with the help of Ontario government funding for social services and private donations.
The arena location was chosen to host the cabins in the summer because it has a kitchen, washroom and community spaces. In the six months the project has been running, Wilson says 14 people have used the cabins, and at least one person has found a job.
"We have somebody moving out today and actually we should see a transition of three to four people this month," she explains. "We’re expecting to see a big turn over of our residents this month."
Wilson says other cities have reached out to learn more about the project.
Shea says the biggest thing for him is the sense of community he gets here.
"I get along with everyone here, they all look out for me, I care about every one of them here," he says.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.