EV & the Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre

[outoftheice]

As someone who purchased a unit in the East Village (and is very much looking forward to moving in this summer) I don't see an issue with the DI being located where it is. I would agree that right now the number of homeless people that one tends to find in the East Village has an impact on the feel of the area when one is walking around (especially at night). Perhaps I'm naïve, but I firmly believe that as the number of residents jumps in the East Village over the next few years the impact on the neighbourhood 'feel' of those who make use of the DI will be less and less.

To support this notion, I look to my own experiences on Stephen Avenue. If I walk down Stephen Avenue on a cold winter day, those who are out on the street are usually me, a few other brave souls going about their business and clusters of homeless people. The homeless stand out and completely changes the 'feel' of the street. Doing the same walk in July, the Avenue is bustling with people. I can almost always recognize the same faces of the homeless who are hanging around the same spots as they were on the winter day but now they are surrounded by people going about their day. They are still there but their presence isn't really felt and doesn't impact the 'vibe' on the street.

I think we'll see the same in the East Village. Those making use of the Drop In Centre will still be there but there will be enough bustle on the streets of the East Village day and night that they will no longer stand out as a focal point.