A report done for Downtown London that describes homelessness in the core as “a blight” is touching a nerve with mental health and community activists.

“I’m disappointed by the language, about cleaning up the downtown,” said Steven Harrison, chief executive of the Canadian Mental Health Association Middlesex.

“We’re working really hard to reduce the stigma around the homeless and the suffering. This does not help.”

Abe Oudshoorn, an anti-poverty advocate, said a number of social service agencies are running a campaign to raise awareness of poverty in London and the report is a step backward. “To suggest that some people belong and others do not is ­shameful.”

The report, presented Monday to city politicians, was done by Live Work Learn Play, a company that advises communities on creating mixed-used districts.

Downtown London hired Live Work Learn Play in June to help it plan for the creation of Dundas Place, a four-block stretch of Dundas Street that will be turned into a public, vehicle-optional space.

Joseph Milos, a project manager with Live Work Learn Play, told politicians a priority should be to “disarm drug and street culture,” especially in Market Lane, a walkway between Dundas Street and Covent Garden Market.

“There are physical spaces in your downtown today that are ­being blighted by this problem,” he said. Milos flashed headlines about downtown crime and drug use on a screen, saying this is the perception of London in the Toronto area.

“The perception that shapes the downtown image is what is holding the downtown back and it needs to change.”

Harrison said he was appalled by the conclusion that some people don’t belong in Market Lane.

“They are hanging out in the market area with friends, and the suggestion of cleaning it up or getting them out is not the approach of a progressive city.”

Dwayne Chapman wonders what all the fuss is about. He said he regularly visits Market Lane to socialize with friends. Enhanced three years ago at a cost of $600,000, the lane has concrete stools and a curved concrete bench intended to resemble the Thames River.

“They have cleaned this up a lot over the past three or four years. It will never be completely cleaned up with shelters, Ontario Works and homeless people in this area. To expect to not have any problems here is stretching the imagination,” he said.

“They have done a really good job here. It used to be a lot worse. Being down and out can happen to anyone, and when you have people looking down on you, you give up.”

Brian Speers, who lives at the Salvation Army, said he visits Market Lane daily. He agrees with Chapman that for many, Market Lane is a place to meet friends.

“People like to come here and talk and meet, sometimes they play music,” Speers said.

“People just want to socialize, to be around people. If they are homeless, they want to be around others. They should try to help them.”

To counteract street culture, the report recommends “green zones” be established in the core. A green zone is a military term for a safe area.

“A green zone does not work,” Harrison said. “That is not the London I want to live in. We are an inclusive city. This is a step in the wrong direction.”

Janette MacDonald, general manager of Downtown London, said the report doesn’t recommend moving people out of the core, but calls for a co-ordinated effort to try to help them.

“It’s a pressing issue. If you see the correspondence I get on a day-to-day basis from businesses downtown, from a social justice aspect these people need more help than we can offer. If we can make headway on Market Lane, we have a good solid foundation to move through the rest of the city.”

But Oudshoorn, a nursing professor at Western University involved in efforts to help the homeless, said the report doesn’t mention work being done by the Middlesex-London Health Unit and other groups to help Londoners struggling with poverty and addictions.

Coun. Phil Squire couldn’t contain his frustration after the report was presented. He said he has represented many people who hang out at Market Lane as a lawyer.

They need help, not to be treated as a blight, he said.

Squire also said he spent a day walking downtown with staff of London Cares, an agency that operates a 24/7 street outreach for the homeless and helps them move into housing with support.

“We went to Market Lane and we sat and talked” to people there, Squire said at the meeting.

“One gentleman was in a parka, in September. London Cares was trying to get him into a residence. He did not want to go. He wanted to be on the street, but he was a great guy. London Cares is doing a fantastic job. I don’t agree with this (report). It is not the right approach,” he said.

City councillors voted to ask city staff to review a report recommendation to create a downtown consultant staff position. Councillors also directed city staff to address issues in Market Lane with a co-ordinated health-care ­approach.

ndebono@postmedia.com

twitter.com/NormatLFPress

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Live Work Learn Play

An international real estate advisory and development firm with offices in Toronto, Montreal and Nashville, Tenn.

Hired for $540,000 by Downtown London to assess the core and come up with recommendations to attract unique businesses.

Staff member delivered update Monday to city councillors.