Former tent city campers lament lack of services in new digs

It's six been weeks since about 140 of the former campers from Victoria's tent city moved into a big brick building on downtown Johnson Street, but neighbours of the re-purposed Central Care Home have had mixed reactions.

Jane Butler McGregor, CEO of the Victoria Conservatory of Music a half-block away, described an increase in loitering, people congregating and open drug use, in an interview on CBC Radio's All Points West.

But residents of the Johnson Street building say the concerns are overblown. 

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"I'm guessing there's just a few more instances of just normal complaints about a couple of rowdy people," resident Jessee Ludtke told On The Island host Gregor Craigie. "It's not like we're eating babies or anything like that."

"I would think if you took that group of people and plunked them down anywhere in any city, you're going to get neighbour complaints," fellow resident Bert Woldring said. "I would say it goes to a high level of frustration at being housed in something that really isn't housing."

While they are relieved to have a roof over their heads, Woldring and Ludtke have complaints of their own about their new accommodations in the building, which is managed by the Vancouver-based PHS Community Services Society.

Some residents regret move

While the rooms have a locking door and a toilet, Woldring says, "we were offered a number of inducements to move into that building, and they have not delivered on all of those inducements as yet."

Woldring said the promises included TV and cable service, internet, storage lockers and unrestricted visitors.

Paul Christopher, a volunteer street outreach worker, said he's spoken with more than 30 of the former tent city residents in the complex and hears mixed feelings about their new home.

"There's a couple that have told me that they miss tent city," Christopher said.

According to Woldring, the real issue is that government social services has failed to ensure there is housing for people like himself.

Cook, nurse, mental health workers on site

"Four-and-a-half years ago when I ended up on permanent disability through no fault of my own, there should have been a place for me to live," Woldring said. 

"Our government has seen fit not to ensure that that was available. so I ended up living in a tent," Woldring said. "Now we're supposed to be grateful that they finally got around to putting a roof over our heads?"

PHS said in a written statement that residents at the Johnson Street residence are receiving services including two meals a day from an in-house cook, support from eight mental health workers, a full time licensed practical nurse and a physician specializing in addiction medicine.

With files from CBC Radio One's On The Island