"A downtown Oshawa property manager says she risks losing her family business, located opposite a non-profit agency that helps people who are homeless, amid ongoing issues on her property including drug use, vandalism and public urination. Lord Simcoe Place on Simcoe Street S. has been in Cindy Malachowski's family for generations. But she says the building is bleeding tenants and has its highest vacancy rate in some 55 years."
"Malachowski's troubles reflect concerns across downtown Oshawa, which has a high concentration of social services compared to the rest of Durham Region, Mayor Dan Carter has previously said. While businesses report problems with people accessing those services, experts say there are few options for shelter spaces across Ontario, and so more needs to be done to address the root causes of homelessness. Malachowski's building is opposite Back Door Mission, a non-profit inside a former church. The mission helps facilitate Mission United, a program that had its origins during the COVID-19 pandemic but has continued in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Durham. Executive director Nathan Gardner says the mission has made changes to its programming in recent years that take into account its clients, staff and the impact on the community."
Cindy Malachowski owns Lord Simcoe Place, a downtown Oshawa property opposite Back Door Mission. The building faces high vacancy, tenant departures, and reported incidents of drug use, vandalism and public urination. Nearby businesses report safety concerns including people passing out and aggressive behaviour. Back Door Mission operates Mission United in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Durham, a program that began during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues. City officials note a high concentration of social services in downtown Oshawa and call for expanded mental health and addictions emergency services and more shelter options across Ontario.
Read at www.cbc.ca
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