Munro realizes, however, that this isn t a blanket solution to LGBTQ homelessness in the DTES. He said instead it s a place to start learning about how advocates can create more safe and inclusive housing in the neighbourhood. We do have an opportunity to build a model along with the people who are living in the building and staff who also have shared lived experience, he said.
The idea is to create an intentional community, where Atira gathers feedback from residents about what they need in terms of resources or security.
They also plan to hire someone to complete a development evaluation for the first six months, providing real-time feedback so they can adjust based on what tenants need.