- by Anne Finlay-Stewart, Editor
The Sanctuary, the 2nd Avenue shelter run by Victorious Living (VLC), is at risk of imminent closure – Wednesday, May 23 at 9 a.m. according to the Sherriff's notice on the door.
But Ray Botten, a long-time advocate for Owen Sound's most vulnerable residents, says "For the safety of the community – we must not let this place close. We won't be combative, but we will not be conforming."
Ray Botten is a paying resident of the Sanctuary which has beds for ten men (in two rooms) and five women each night. Botten says it is often at capacity, including volunteers providing supervision between 7 p.m. and 8:30 a.m.
The Victorious Living corporation (VLC) bought the building in 2007, and has been paying two privately-held mortgages. One of the mortgage-holders wanted his money out last fall, and the VLC briefly put the building up for sale. When the mortgage-holder proceeded with court action, the VLC was unable to sell another of its properties to pay off the shelter's mortgage, and the Sheriff has posted a notice of eviction.
"Not everyone can be housed in our community – one older man has been staying here for eight years." These longer term residents, Botten says, pay on a sliding scale depending on their source of income.
A 22-year old woman who has been a resident for six months says she is hoping Y Housing will be able to find her a suitable alternative. She is concerned about getting a refund of some of the $650 she has paid by direct deposit, if she cannot stay at the shelter.
The province funds housing through municipalities – in our case, the "upper tier" or County. Grey County contracts Y Housing who in turn provides a per diem – a dollar amount per resident per night – to the Sanctuary. In addition, Grey County has provided some nominal utility money, according to Botten, and the federal government provided $286,000 grant for renovations to turn the commercial building into a residence, on the sole condition that it remain a shelter for a minimum of five years.
Since the Salvation Army closed its 25 bed hostel for men on 8th Street E. in 2006, the only other option for men who cannot find shelter has been a few nights a month in a local motel, provided through Safe Son'und.
Botten says the situation in Owen Sound has declined in the past eight months – he calls it a war zone of crystal meth, opioids, "everything" - and lack of housing just adds to the crisis.
The vigil at the shelter began last Friday. Botten says city residents, including uniformed city police officers, have been by with donations. He invites people to come down to talk with him, sit with them, even sleep on the sidewalk. But, he insists, the shelter will be open tonight and every night. And he invites those who want to keep it open to be there Wednesday by 8 a.m.
Every elected official in Grey and Bruce has known about this pending eviction for three weeks, says Botten, and there has been no response. "We won't break the law, but we need to show them what we can do creatively."
Ray Botten ran for mayor of Owen Sound in 2011, and the situation he sees on the streets has brought him to throw his hat into the ring for this fall's municipal election.
The Owen Sound Hub has requested comment on the situation from City and Grey County officials, and will update the story as those responses are received.
