{"id":35959,"date":"2025-03-06T17:10:15","date_gmt":"2025-03-06T22:10:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.newspapers-online.com\/auroran\/?p=35959"},"modified":"2025-03-06T17:10:17","modified_gmt":"2025-03-06T22:10:17","slug":"council-voted-to-invite-region-back-to-consider-mens-transitional-housing-build-before-veto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newspapers-online.com\/auroran\/council-voted-to-invite-region-back-to-consider-mens-transitional-housing-build-before-veto\/","title":{"rendered":"Council voted to invite Region back to consider Men\u2019s Transitional Housing Build \u2013 before veto"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A Council majority voted in favour of inviting the Region of York back to the table to renew its proposal for a men\u2019s emergency and transitional facility on Yonge Street, just south of Industrial Parkway, before the Council decision was vetoed by Mayor Tom Mrakas less than 24 hours later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At issue was a motion from Ward 5 Councillor John Gallo calling on the Town to invite the Region to re-apply for zoning bylaw amendments that could have brought the facility one step closer to fruition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Councillor Gallo was one of four Council members who voted to deny the Region\u2019s application in February of 2024. His vote came with the caveat that a more suitable location be found within Aurora; but with a lack of progress in finding alternative sites, Councillor Gallo said the urgency need for such a facility in the intervening year outweighed his concerns over the proposed location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor those of you who believe my actions are politically-motivated and have written so, I think you should all give your heads a shake because a year ago I upset half of you and tonight I am upsetting the other half,\u201d said Gallo, addressing a Council Chamber filled with residents who spoke both in support and against the motion and the potential build. \u201cAny political advisor would be obviously saying \u2018you\u2019re an idiot and you\u2019re not a very good politician\u2019, but I hope that underlines my sincerity both a year ago and tonight and it has nothing to do with politics and it has everything to do with trying to do the right thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gallo said he initially voted against the site solely due to concerns over its suitability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy vote was intended to send a message to find another location. My internal struggle was clear at the table on February 13, 2024, when I said, \u2018I feel like I am forced to make a decision even though there is an overwhelming need and no alternative.\u2019 I proposed an alternative site at that meeting with no real traction,\u201d he said. \u201cLike many in our community, I had hoped that a more appropriate site could be identified. After a year of discussion and exploration, no viable alternative site has come forward. Meanwhile, the urgent need for transitional housing inside our community has not diminished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEvery day that passes without action is another day that some of our most vulnerable residents remain without safe and stable shelter. I am well aware that my actions one year ago has delayed the provision of safe and stable shelter for our most vulnerable. I cannot change that decision. I truly felt I was doing the right thing. Given these realities, I have taken the time to reconsider my position. Leadership requires us to adapt when circumstances demand it. While the proposed location may not be ideal, the greater priority must be ensuring those in need have access to support and services. A shelter is not just a place to sleep; it is a foundation for rebuilding lives, fostering stability, and helping individuals regain their independence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While he said he recognized the concerns voiced by residents at the podium on Tuesday evening, he said moving ahead on the site in question should be done with strong oversight and \u201congoing dialogue\u201d to address any issues that arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SUPPORT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Support for Councillor Gallo\u2019s motion came first from Ward 1 Councillor Ron Weese, who said he respected Gallo\u2019s \u201ccourage\u201d in bringing the matter back to the table. Weese said his support for the project still remains following Council\u2019s decision last year, and has only grown in the months since.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis motion tests our principles of equity and inclusion. Our Town has embraced inclusion, yet for some reason we are considering excluding vulnerable men who need both shelter and assistance in learning to work and to regain their dignity,\u201d he said, questioning the merits of a letter sent to the Town by the Region stating the site in question was not being considered. \u201c[The letter] said they had no authority (to consider the site) and they have no authority because we didn\u2019t give them authority to bring this back. They haven\u2019t considered this, yet in a report the Region put out two months ago, they noted [the location] was under-developed. That suggests to me there is an opportunity for that one. However, they have also said that they are looking for two to three other ones in this Region and all I am suggesting is that we ought to be one of those people, one of those Councils, one of those municipalities who stand up and say, \u2018Yes, in my back yard.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Support for the motion also came from Ward 2 Councillor Rachel Gilliland and Ward 3 Councillor Wendy Gaertner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Councillor Gilliland said she wanted to thank residents who came forward \u201cfor sharing their compassion, their heart and support for much-needed housing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said she was \u201cdisappointed\u201d to hear people in the community \u201csay they had had enough\u201d on discussing the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI say the humans that don\u2019t have a home or a roof over their heads, the don\u2019t have enough. They need our help, they need our compassion, support, to help them get on their feet. People have this vision of what a homeless person is supposed to look like: un-showered, unkempt, on the streets, not really looking well-presented\u2026 the reality is homeless people could be your co-worker down the hall, a nurse, a contractor or a construction worker. We have heard the stories of people living in their van working full time but they don\u2019t have a home. This is a resource that we as a community can provide to lift these people up and give them a new start with the basic needs of shelter,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Added Councillor Gaertner: \u201cIf this does come back from the Region, I would ask a few things: I would like to know what alternative sites were that they looked at, and I would like to know why they were turned down. I would like to know if they will follow up with the prototype from Durham Region has for its new transitional shelter that has addressed everything over 50 meetings. There was a motion from this Council to find three alternative viable sites in Aurora and the motion said that our Town staff should do this in collaboration with the Region and as Councillor said, I think it was eight months later, ten months later, they haven\u2019t heard anything. Councillor Gallo verified it at our last meeting in 2024. I think it\u2019s a fair motion and I will be supporting it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OPPOSITION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opposition to Councillor Gallo\u2019s motion came from Mayor Tom Mrakas, Ward 4 Councillor Michael Thompson and Ward 6 Councillor Harold Kim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First to speak was Councillor Thompson who said the Region was looking for a York-wide solution to the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey (the Region) are currently assessing a broad range of potential sites all aimed at addressing the pressing and recognized need for emergency and traditional housing. Once this evaluation is complete and viable sites have been identified, York Region will collaborate with municipalities and key stakeholders to ensure the development of this facility aligns with both local planning policies and the community\u2019s input. This process has been ongoing for some time and we anticipate a report will [come to Council] as early as April or as late as June,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTherefore, I believe it is prudent to allow the Region to complete the thorough work they have already begun. Let them determine the most appropriate site, whether in Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Markham, Vaughan or any of the other nine municipalities in York Region. It is important that we respect their evidence-based approach in the site selection process. Once their findings are presented, if we find a reason to disagree with their conclusions, we will have an opportunity for dialogue. At that point, we can voice our concerns, discuss potential issues, and\/or propose alternative solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking against the motion, Councillor Kim said the issue at hand has \u201cdivided\u201d Aurorans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLet me say that I am not against the men\u2019s transitional shelter, but the process in how we got here by the Region is certainly not desirable. I have spoken with the Region and charitable organizations about having a location for housing, for those who have been sex slaves and human trafficked, and I can tell you that when those locations are looked at, absolutely no one wants them in their neighbourhood\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI can tell you very few people are going to be supportive of that type of housing. It\u2019s unfortunate. [Whatever the outcome is], I hope that we can all come back as one. Now, given the Region\u2019s communication today, it seems like the logical roadmap is to hear what they have to say.\u201d
Mayor Mrakas went on to acknowledge the \u201cpassion\u201d on both sides of the issue and insisted that as the land has been \u201cidentified as a strategic location for the current and future infrastructure needs of the community\u201d no builds would take place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis location was determined to be unsuitable two years ago, remained unsuitable a year ago, and continues to be unsuitable today. Nothing about the location has changed. The motion does nothing but create false hope for the vocal few who are fixated on this site, to the exclusion of consideration of any more suitable sites, while causing frustration for the majority of the community that expects site selection to be a fact-based decision,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat I will say though is I find it truly disappointing, and I think Councillor Kim touched on it, that some individuals have taken a stance that anyone opposing this unsuitable location is opposed to helping the marginalized in our community or addressing the rising homelessness issue across the Province. It is both untrue and deeply offensive. As I said many times before, the best decisions for our community are based on facts, not emotions. I will continue to work with my Regional colleagues to make evidence-based decisions and look forward to approving optimal locations that provide the best service to those in need as well as the surrounding community, because that is how you get things done and get them done right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Brock Weir<\/strong><\/p>\n\r\n\"Facebook\"<\/a>\"twitter\"<\/a>\"mail\"<\/a>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A Council majority voted in favour of inviting the Region of York back to the table to renew its proposal for a men\u2019s emergency and transitional facility on Yonge Street, just south of Industrial Parkway, before the Council decision was vetoed by Mayor Tom Mrakas less than 24 hours later. At issue was a motion […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[4,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35959","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general_news","category-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3D2k4-9lZ","publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-06-08 09:41:16","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newspapers-online.com\/auroran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35959","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newspapers-online.com\/auroran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newspapers-online.com\/auroran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newspapers-online.com\/auroran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newspapers-online.com\/auroran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35959"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.newspapers-online.com\/auroran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35959\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35960,"href":"https:\/\/www.newspapers-online.com\/auroran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35959\/revisions\/35960"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newspapers-online.com\/auroran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35959"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newspapers-online.com\/auroran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35959"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newspapers-online.com\/auroran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35959"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}