A controversial stunt to raise awareness about homelessness was a way of confronting the "not-in-my-backyard" (NIMBY) mentality head-on, an organizer says.
"We're using confronting NIMBYism head-on to challenge some misconceptions and myths that people have about people who face homelessness," Raising the Roof Executive Director Carolann Barr told CTV's Canada AM on Friday.
Raising the Roof, the company behind the stunt, is a Canadian non-profit organization that aims to find long-term solutions to homelessness.
Residents of Toronto's affluent Leaside neighbourhood woke up last week to a sign on a vacant building announcing the opening of a new homeless shelter.
A hidden camera captured the community’s mixed reaction to the news. Barr didn't reveal specific details, but said that several people complained about the neighbourhood's new addition.
The next day, the sign was replaced with another one: "You told us you don't want a shelter here. Neither do we." The sign informed passersby that the announcement was part of a campaign to raise awareness of homelessness.
Barr said that shelters are important, but that the organization tries to focus on prevention and affordable housing opportunities.
She said the location was chosen randomly, and had nothing to do with the particular neighbourhood.
"I think that the reaction would be similar in any community across Canada," Barr said.
Though the location was random, the timing was intentional, Barr said. The video will purposely be released one week before the federal election.
"We're really encouraging people to check out the various parties' platforms around affordable housing and homelessness," she said.
The video will be released on YouTube by Raising the Roof and advertising company Leo Burnett on Monday. The residents' faces will be blurred to protect their identities.
According to Homeless Hub, a website dedicated to homelessness research, Toronto's estimated homeless population is 5,219 people.
