ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — The Gathering Place is looking to make an extensive expansion to shelter services in the city.
The Sisters of Mercy made their convent space at 168-170 Military Rd. available to The Gathering Place to use as a shelter, as all of the sisters have moved to the Littledale property in the Waterford River valley, said Nancy Sullivan, The Gathering Place’s interim executive director.
She said it’s too early to say much more, other than that they’re applying for funding.
However, an application seeking city approval for the conversion of Mercy Convent got unanimous approval from St. John’s city council on Monday, and the decision note included details of the proposed plans for the low-barrier emergency shelter for people who are homeless.
According to council’s agenda, the shelter is proposed to have 43 shelter beds, 29 transition beds, 24 supportive housing bedrooms and a common area.
Right now, The Gathering Place has 30 emergency cots to use for one year only — it was a temporary support announced in July in hopes of shielding the city’s most vulnerable residents from the COVID-19 pandemic’s second wave.
At the time, then-premier Dwight Ball said the temporary shelter was a first step toward a more permanent structure, which he said would be about a two-year process.
Sullivan said the current temporary emergency shelter usually sees more than 20 people each night.
“Oh, it’s unbelievable,” she said.
“The sisters started this place, and they had the foresight to see that this place would be needed. And since COVID, we are seeing so many new people each day.”
According to council’s agenda, the four floors of the convent would be repurposed as follows: the first floor for overnight beds, the second floor for transition beds, the third and fourth floors for supportive housing rooms, and the gymnasium (currently used for the temporary shelter) would revert back to its previous use as a clothing bank.
During the council meeting, Coun. Shawn Skinner said he’d recommend anything the city can do to help facilitate this kind of support for people who are homeless.
“We’re in very challenging times right now, and never have we seen more of a need, certainly, for low-barrier emergency shelters for individuals,” agreed Deputy Mayor Sheilagh O’Leary.
Juanita Mercer reports on municipal politics in St. John’s.
