Residents living near the Stepping Stones shelter on Vernon Street say they have ended talks with Nelson CARES after two years and 12 meetings, citing broken promises, mounting costs and safety concerns.
A statement sent to Vista Radio on behalf of nearby residents accuses Nelson CARES of failing to uphold promises on communication, shelter rules and procedures, and building improvements.
Kirsten Stolee, who lives on the east end of Vernon Street and penned the statement, said residents could no longer continue with meetings, describing them as futile and emotionally draining.
“We were just growing very frustrated with sitting back down at the table and being told things that then down the road just ended up not being the case. So it was just an exercise that seemed futile,” she said.
“It takes a lot of energy to go and talk about things that are happening to you in your home and in your yard. And so it was just too much for what we were getting out of them.”
Stolee wrote the statement on behalf of a group of about four to five residents who live around the shelter and were involved in the meetings.
Safety concerns
Residents say several commitments previously made by Nelson CARES were either not delivered or inconsistently applied.
For Stolee, the most pressing concerns were the shelter’s curfew, perimeter checks and staff supervision.
“We waited about two months after we were promised a curfew to get one. And then within the first few days, it was constantly broken. The problem with that is that when one rule is broken, any rule can really be broken,” she said.
Sarah Magee, executive director of Nelson CARES, said the organization introduced a curfew, increased perimeter monitoring and stabilized on-site supervision to address safety concerns.
“Rarely does one solution fit all problems and things often aren’t perfect. Our goal is to minimize the impact of the shelter on the surrounding neighbourhood in as many ways as possible,” she said.
“People come to us in a time of crisis. This is the lowest point in their lives for a lot of them, and they are escalated and upset. When this happens, we work to bring them inside and give them a safe place to rest and access to essential services, including medical care and mental health supports.”
Stolee acknowledged these efforts but said inconsistent enforcement has left residents frustrated and feeling unsafe.
Magee also addressed concerns about the shelter’s previous 30-day stay model, explaining that BC Housing no longer considers it appropriate.
The shelter now operates under a transitional, housing-first approach, aiming to provide stability for residents while balancing neighbourhood impact.
Overdose prevention site
Neighbours said they were surprised to discover an overdose prevention site (OPS) installed in the backyard of the property.
“They said it was implemented despite nearby children’s facilities and what they describe as the neighbourhood’s well-documented insistence that this area not house an OPS,” Stolee said.
Residents only realized the site existed after discussing it among themselves. Magee said it was implemented following consultation with BC Housing and Interior Health, and residents were informed in February.
“Health experts agree that overdose prevention sites are proven to reduce overdose deaths. The decision to bring in an OPS was not one that was made lightly,” she said.
Magee added that since the OPS was established, incident reports including emergency calls and overdoses have decreased, and staff have had more opportunity to engage with clients about substance use.
“We’ve heard from others in the neighbourhood that things are quieter. That includes a reduction in police and medical calls responding to emergencies at the shelter,” she said.
Financial and emotional implications
Residents claim the shelter has contributed to more than $1 million in direct and indirect costs, including:
- Hiring a security guard to stop trespassing and drug activity ($772,218)
- Loss in property values, such as the nearby Clubhouse at 818 Vernon Street, which sold for approximately $200,000 below BC Assessment value
- Infrastructure costs paid by the City of Nelson, including metal gates at the Civic Centre ($21,000)
- Personal expenses such as replacing stolen property, installing security systems, and lost time from work
“We started putting together just a dollar figure for how this was impacting our neighbourhood, including hiring a security guard right next door, but also extending to the lost property values, what is happening to the value of our home and how that may impact our ability to even leave the neighbourhood,” Stolee said.
Beyond the financial toll, she said emotional distress and a persistent sense of insecurity from repeated intrusions, property theft and exposure to traumatic events have profoundly affected families.
Magee could not comment on whether the shelter contributes to crime or related costs, but said homelessness is not unique to Nelson.
“Homelessness is not a problem that is unique to Nelson, to the province of B.C., or our country as a whole. It has severe consequences. It impacts physical and mental health. It erodes communities. And it places a major strain on the economy,” she said.
“Our country has recognized that there is a crisis in affordable housing, income inequality, and poverty and we’re working towards finding solutions to this problem.”
Solutions include the addition of both supportive and affordable housing within the community, along with efforts to connect individuals with the supports they need to maintain their housing.
Next steps
Stolee and neighbours are demanding accountability and hope to see peace restored in the neighbourhood, though she is unsure whether it is possible for Nelson CARES to rebuild community trust.
“I don’t know if it’s really even possible at this point to rebuild trust. We’ve just really been disappointed too many times. And, you know, there’s only so much one neighbourhood can take,” she said.
Stolee has been in contact with lawyers for help, saying she feels she has “hit a wall” in finding a solution.
Magee said she appreciates and sympathizes with residents, adding that Nelson CARES remains committed to improvement.
“We do want to hear the concerns of neighbours, of businesses, of all of the folks that are navigating life around the shelter. We want to find a better balance between community health and safety and serving our guests. And we remain open to all of those conversations,” she said.
Magee said Nelson CARES is exploring alternative locations for the shelter in collaboration with BC Housing and the City of Nelson, but added that there is rarely an ideal location.
“No one wants to see homelessness in their neighbourhood. It’s a difficult thing to experience and watch. And we recognize that while shelter operations have changed, so has the neighbourhood. And we are working with BC Housing and the city to find a better location for the shelter,” she said.
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