Homeless Not Turned from Shelter: CAO

A local advocacy group for the homeless disputes the region's claim

The sister of a man who died on the streets of St. Catharines last winter using strong language after a Niagara regional council decision last week.

The council voted to defer to February 10th a decision on changing the temperature from -15 to 0, a benchmark for increasing emergency beds at shelters.

That was to give the region and police time to work out financial and logistical issues, the change meaning another $2.3-million.

At one point, CAO Ron Tripp noted Bob Allen, who died, was not turned away from a bed, but was given options, and while those were being worked out, he chose not to take help.

Allen's sister, Elizabeth, says he was turned away.

Niagara Advocates with Lived/Living Experiences also dispute the region's claim there's never been a shortage of beds.

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