1. What is the plan to minimize risks for school children, senior citizens, long-term care homes, and surrounding neighbourhoods? 

The safety of all Cornwall residents is our top concern. We have engaged with community safety professionals to develop a risk management plan for the site. 

The future residents of Massey Commons will include people with roots in Cornwall – individuals and families. Some will be school-aged children. They will live on-site for up to four years. They will be supported as they integrate into their new neighbourhood. 

3. Has recent air quality testing been conducted in the abandoned building to address health concerns such as moulds?

One of the benefits of this project moving forward is that this ageing structure will be rehabilitated and resume an active role in the community. It won’t simply be an abandoned building in the middle of a thriving neighbourhood. 

Massey Commons’ air and water quality will meet the same high standards that all other City- owned facilities must and do. The renovation of the building will ensure that it meets Ontario’s Building Code, including the necessary fire and life safety systems, and carbon monoxide monitoring. 

5. How many cabins will be built, and what security measures will be implemented? What is the expected cost for Cornwall taxpayers?

The current plan for Massey Commons no longer includes sleeping cabins. All residents, including families with children, will be housed in the building itself in separate units. We have engaged with community safety professionals to develop a risk management plan for the site. 

The construction tender has not been awarded yet, so the total costs for the expanded project plans are unknown at this time. As with all City of Cornwall projects, we will ensure Massey Commons is cost effective and energy efficient for the community.

7. How can the safety of high school students be ensured, particularly in terms of potential exposure to drugs and undesirable influences?  

We have engaged with community safety professionals to develop a risk management plan for the site. 

Going forward, there will be oversight and investment in this currently vacant property by the City’s Housing Services Division. Massey Commons will bring more City resources into the  Community. 

We understand that safety is a top priority for all parents, as it is for the City. We are confident that Massey Commons does not pose any safety risk to students at the neighbouring schools. In fact, some of the residents may themselves be school-aged children and youth. 

9. What measures will be implemented to keep public spaces clear of unwanted items, garbage, and waste, and how will increased traffic be managed?

Massey Commons has its own parking spaces. Going forward there will be oversight and investment of this currently vacant property, by the City’s Housing Services Division. 

Based on traffic studies of the area, it has been determined that there will be no impact to traffic due to this project. 

Reality: Based on traffic studies completed in the area, it has been determined that there will be no impact to traffic due to this project. Like any new development, a higher density or infill-housing proposal must meet the municipality’s planning and engineering standards.

Reality: Community housing saves taxpayer dollars and is cost effective. The cost of  Massey Commons is lower than the cost of keeping people precariously housed with  other community resources like shelters and hospitals. 

In 2005, Steve Pomeroy did a study which looked at costs in four Canadian cities.  Institutional responses (jails, hospitals, etc.) cost $66,000-$120,000 per person annually and emergency shelters cost $13,000 - $42,000 per person annually, whereas community housing with support services costs $13,000 - $18,000 per person annually, and community housing without support services was a mere $5,000-$8,000 per person annually.  

But the barriers are high when you don’t have a home. Experiencing homelessness makes  you less competitive in the job market. It means you don’t have a permanent address to  give to an employer, a place to shower, money to afford clean clothes, or access to a  computer to find a job. 

Even if people have part-time or full-time work, they may still be without a permanent  home because of a lack of affordable housing. As an example, increased economic growth has attracted migration to many cities which drives up the prices of rental accommodation and houses. 

The challenge of job-hunting while experiencing homelessness is even greater for youth.  Many have never had the opportunity to become self-sufficient – for example, learning to  pay bills or grocery shop – and many have never had the chance to complete high  school, which prevents them from gaining meaningful employment. 

They may also have a deep history of adverse childhood experiences, or traumatizing  events occurring before the age of 18 that lead to toxic stress. This can have a profound  effect on brain development, which can create challenges in finding employment later in life.