Homeless Home To Be Cleared In City Renovations

It took eight years for Chris Gardiner to build his three-bedroom home.

The only problem with his dwelling – it’s on public property, stationed right under the Gardiner Expressway where he thought no one would ever look.

But someone did. And now the once empty spot’s on the verge of becoming the site of a new neighbourhood.

“I figured there’s no way I’d be bothering anybody here, but I was wrong,” recalls Gardiner on choosing the location for his home.

Just about a month ago, Gardiner says Toronto’s Works Department came around and told him there was a work order to refurbish the underpass he was living in, and the result was that the entire area – including his home – had to be cleared.

But after almost a decade of settling in, Gardiner wasn’t about to leave quietly.

The Ontario Coalition Against Poverty took up Gardiner’s cause, helping to build more homes on the same spot. What that means is even if he gets to stay in the neighbourhood, he’ll be getting some new neighbours whether the city likes it or not. And the city doesn’t like it.

“Ultimately our goal is to help those people move indoors and into apartments of their own, and when in those apartments, connect with their new community,” said Ian De Jong, manager of the Streets To Home Initiative.

But the results of eight years of work won’t be relinquished overnight. Gardiner’s home has electricity, a living room with a bookshelf and even a stove with a kettle. He says it’s all he needs, but so do city officials.

“They’re offering him things he doesn’t want, and taking away everything he has,” said OCAP’s Kolin Davidson.

“In many other parts of the world, this isn’t really that uncommon.”

Still, Gardiner’s adamant he’s not bothering anyone.

“I don’t believe that I’m in the way of anything,” he insists.

“I believe that they could do their work around me … if my house wasn’t standing here they would completely ignore this spot.”

Despite his best protests, Gardiner says he expects a final eviction notice next month. He’s hoping the only ones that can really help him – Toronto Mayor David Miller and City Council – will intervene and let him stay.

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