A property manager in downtown Oshawa is facing challenges with her family business situated across from a non-profit organization aiding the homeless. Cindy Malachowski, the owner of Lord Simcoe Place, a building with a long family history, is grappling with various issues on her property, including drug activities, vandalism, and public disturbances. The situation has led to a significant drop in tenants and the highest vacancy rate in over five decades.
Malachowski highlighted an incident where a legal service provider left the building due to witnessing illicit activities outside their window. This mirrors broader concerns in downtown Oshawa, which Mayor Dan Carter has attributed to the area having a disproportionate number of social service facilities compared to the rest of Durham Region. Businesses in the area have reported difficulties stemming from individuals accessing these services, underscoring the need for more comprehensive solutions to address homelessness at its core.
The property in question faces Back Door Mission, a non-profit organization housed in a former church that operates Mission United in collaboration with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Durham. The executive director of the mission, Nathan Gardner, acknowledged the evolving nature of their programming to better serve their clients, staff, and the community.
Malachowski described ongoing issues of aggression, unconscious individuals, discarded needles, and property damage outside her building since the start of the pandemic. Mayor Carter had previously declared a public health crisis in Oshawa due to escalating problems associated with homelessness, mental health, and addiction.
Concerns raised by Malachowski regarding the management of Mission United by Back Door Mission were met with responses from Gardner, emphasizing significant changes made by the organization in recent years to address community impacts. He acknowledged the need to refocus on meaningful engagement as they transition their programs to better serve the community.
The article also touched on the broader impact of homelessness on downtown businesses, with some expressing concerns about safety and the need for more comprehensive solutions like affordable housing and recovery programs. While Malachowski’s business is at the epicenter of these issues, others like Wilson Furniture have seen some impact but not to the same extent.
As the homelessness crisis in Oshawa continues to worsen post-pandemic, business owners like Sherman from Wilson Furniture highlighted the adverse effects on the community’s vitality, with businesses relocating due to safety concerns. The sentiment echoed across businesses underscores the urgency for collaborative efforts to address the root causes of homelessness and improve the overall well-being of the community.