A tumultuous week is coming for Victoria's growing homeless population, with shelter spaces closing and others being relocated – but some shop owners are counting on the changes to revitalize business.
On Wednesday, the Streetlink emergency shelter at 1634 Store Street will close and the Rock Bay Landing facility, located in an industrial area 11 blocks away, will open.
"The politicians want us not to be seen during tourist season," John Hansler, one of Streetlink's regulars, told CTV News.
"It's a bad situation. As of tonight, I'll be sleeping in doorways or wherever I can just to stay out of the rain."
Streetlink provides meals and beds for at least 80 homeless people per night, but has drawn controversy for years because of its location. The drug addicted and homeless don't mix well with tourists and high-end design shops.
Mallory Hauer, who works at the nearby Swan's Pub, says business in the area has been hurting. "It bothers our customers," she said. "I've had to call the police on a couple of occasions if there are fights or someone not doing too well."
Some business owners have resorted to paying for street security to ease customers' nerves.
Tasmin Dodd, owner of Standard Furniture, looks forward to the move, saying it will "help benefit the businesses down here by … giving us the opportunities of working together as a community."
But while it may make businesses happy, Rick Wilson, a homeless drug addict, says the city's addiction problems won't be affected.
"We're trading one set of problems for another," he said. "They're relocating the problem, they're not solving anything."
And that doesn't bode well for Hansen, who fears for his future. "I don't want to die out on the street but I can see that happening," he said.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Jim Beatty
