Salvation Army tarp raises questions about hiding homelessness

There were many questions raised today over a big change across the street from the newly renovated TD Coliseum.

In the last 24 hours, a fence went up outside The Salvation Army Hamilton Booth Centre, blocking the view of the sidewalk.

But while some suspect this may be an attempt to hide the city’s homeless population, those behind the move say this is all about exterior building maintenance.

Thousands of people will flock to downtown Hamilton Friday with Paul McCartney as the opening act.

Directly across York Boulevard is The Salvation Army – a shelter for homeless and transient men.

On Wednesday, a black tarp was put up around the front of the shelter raising questions about the the city’s approach to homelessness against the $300-million event space.

“My guess is that nobody that comes to the coliseum is going to want to see what’s going on over there,” said one resident. “There are people yelling, and screaming at each other– It is violent.”

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In an email to CHCH News, The Salvation Army said, “the fencing is part of the safety barrier that would be required during some exterior work that includes brick work, painting, new lighting and graffiti removal.”

“We try to do this every couple of years as it’s part of our exterior maintenance,” the email read.

Councilor Cameron Kroetsch says residents have also noticed and have been reaching out to his office, saying the large tarp in front of The Salvation Army doesn’t look like construction.

“The city has policy to ensure there is scaffolding above, there is a way to protect people who are walking by so if that is what’s going on there, I really hope that there is some scaffolding put up. We don’t want them in harms way,” Kroetsch said.

Next to the Salvation Army is a church across the street from the TD Coliseum.

A spokesperson for the church says the tarp was put up to protect the church from vandalism and stop people from hanging out on the front steps.

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