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The future of Dwayne’s Home came into question last summer when a for-sale sign appeared on the outside fence. In November, Homeward Trust took over operations of Dwayne’s Home with the goal of transitioning the tenants out of the facility. The plan is to have this completed over a six-month period.

The home has been involved in fires and police investigations over the years.

Coun. Scott McKeen said the closure of the home would be a positive change for the area.

“While I respect the employees who toiled at Dwayne’s Home, the owner did not support the facility sufficiently to allow it to operate as a good employer, landlord or neighbour,” he said. “I can’t see how I would not be supportive of a residential apartment building on the site, so long as it follows good design and planning principles. So it’s a bit early to say I’d vote one way or another.”

The city is currently trying to find solutions to its homeless problem, such as developing more bridge homes to help transition people to permanent lodging.

The city has reduced homelessness by 43 per cent since 2009 with 9,700 Edmontonians housed.

Chronic homelessness has also gone down by 15 per cent, bringing the number of homeless Edmontonians to 1,729 as of October.

“Dwayne’s Home should stand as a cautionary tale,” McKeen said. “We need to ensure housing for the homeless is properly funded and supported, for the health of the residents and the health of the communities that host them.”

jlabine@postmedia.com

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