Health Minister Glen Abernethy and Yellowknife Centre MLA Julie Green got an earful Tuesday night as the territorial government prepares to close the downtown day shelter and replace it with a sobering centre one block away.

Two dozen residents from Northern Heights Condominiums, located across the street from the Safe Harbour Day Shelter on 49 Street, showed up for Green's constituency meeting at the Yellowknife Public Library, also attended by Abernethy.

The new shelter is scheduled to open in the coming weeks.

Complaints, concerns and frustrations about day shelters new and old, along with worries about SA国际影视传媒渆mbarrassingSA国际影视传媒� public drinking, fighting, property damage and harassment were directed at Green and Abernethy by the downtown residents.

SA国际影视传媒淵ouSA国际影视传媒檙e responsible for the behaviour of these clients  SA国际影视传媒�  DonSA国际影视传媒檛 think youSA国际影视传媒檙e not,SA国际影视传媒� one frustrated attendee told Abernethy, adding she sometimes feels like sending bills for broken doors and clean-up costs to the health department.
While many people in attendance applauded the new combination day shelter and sobering centre, some said the move would simply relocate problem drinking and violence a mere block away. At the end of the day, one resident said, many of the government officials in the room go to their homes away from the downtown, leaving area residents with the sirens, shouting and violence.
SA国际影视传媒淚 live here, too. We all do,SA国际影视传媒� replied Abernethy. SA国际影视传媒淎lthough some of us might live a couple blocks away, weSA国际影视传媒檙e not blind to the challenge.SA国际影视传媒�
Others questioned why the new building is situated so close to the downtown liquor store.
Abernethy admitted the location isnSA国际影视传媒檛 perfect, but, like the current site, he said itSA国际影视传媒檚 the best the government can do.

SA国际影视传媒淚t would be nice not to be next door to the liquor store SA国际影视传媒� But it is a space we have available and we know with proper programming and great partners SA国际影视传媒� We can start to make a difference in peopleSA国际影视传媒檚 lives when theySA国际影视传媒檙e ready,SA国际影视传媒� said Abernethy.

The GNWT was rejected by 21 other landlords before the new site was secured, either because the building couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be brought up to code, or because the owner simply didnSA国际影视传媒檛 want shelter clients in the building, he said.

The new shelter space is owned by Northern News Services.

As for the existing day shelter, Abernethy said it was the wrong choice but the only choice.

He stressed the space and design of the new day shelter and sobering centre will offer programming that the current location was never equipped for.
SA国际影视传媒淭his is not the same program youSA国际影视传媒檝e seen across the street,SA国际影视传媒� said Abernethy.
He said the new centre has the potential to be a SA国际影视传媒減athway to healing,SA国际影视传媒� not just a place for people to come to warm up or sleep off their intoxication.

SA国际影视传媒淭hen we can help them off the streets. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 what this new building is going to do.SA国际影视传媒�

Abernethy added the current day shelter SA国际影视传媒� opened in 2014 with the intention of being temporary SA国际影视传媒� lasted SA国际影视传媒減robably two yearsSA国际影视传媒� longer than planned.

Addressing public safety and security concerns at the new centre, Abernethy said there will be cameras affixed to the outside of the building to monitor the premises and back alley.
A call line, the minister said, will also be established for residents to contact if they witness a problem. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 unclear when that will happen.
In five years SA国际影视传媒� when the lease on the new building expires SA国际影视传媒� Abernethy said the department expects to receive federal dollars for additional programming for homeless people in the city. The site of the former building, due to be torn down, is being eyed as a potential permanent space.
In the future, the minister told residents heSA国际影视传媒檚 committed to exploring harm reduction initiatives, including managed alcohol programs SA国际影视传媒� suggested by one condo owner SA国际影视传媒� for clients with chronic addictions to address some of the persistent behavioral concerns noted by residents on Tuesday.
SA国际影视传媒淚 know you donSA国际影视传媒檛 think we were listening but we were listening,SA国际影视传媒� the minister said. SA国际影视传媒淲e are where we are and we want to continue to hear your voices.SA国际影视传媒�