The City of Charlottetown is considering adding more transitional housing in the city.

The province has an application before city council for a new 11-unit transitional housing project within an existing building on Hillsborough Street.

City council voted 7-0 to send the application to public consultation. Coun. Terry Bernard left the meeting early, Coun. Norman Beck wasn’t in the room and Coun. Mitchell Tweel withheld his vote.

“The applicant, which is the provincial government, will come and present to the public and give more details on what this actually looks like,” says Deputy Mayor Alanna Jankov, who’s also chair of Charlottetown’s planning and heritage committee.

“That’s where we’ll probably start to get more of the details on how this project could potentially unfold in the City of Charlottetown should it be approved.”

Jankov added that the application is to rezone the area because transitional housing isn’t allowed under the current zoning.

The province’s application states there will be staff on site 24 hours a day. Right now, the building has six units but would be renovated into an 11-bed transitional housing project. No illegal substances will be allowed on site, according to the application.

The province’s application also states the main purpose is to help those experiencing homelessness get into a more stable housing environment and “help to alleviate pressures on the shelter system.”

Previous concerns in the area

The property is not far from the former location of the Community Outreach Centre on Euston Street. There were several meetings where many community members raised concerns about the service and the clientele who used it, some of whom faced homelessness, addiction or both. The outreach centre was moved to Park Street in 2024.

Jankov said she wouldn’t be surprised if similar concerns came up at the public consultation.

“It’s always difficult to find that healthy balance when we’re dealing with our most vulnerable folks, so… there will no doubt be questions and concerns that come up, but it’s all about finding a healthy balance for everybody to live cohesively together, but also recognizing that folks too have a journey to go on,” Jankov said, adding that clients would be at a different stage of their housing journey.

In a written statement within the application, Jason Doyle, the province’s director of housing operations, states: “The clients selected for these programs will engage with case management and relevant programs and must conduct themselves in such a manner as to not interfere with the occupancy and safety of other residents.”

According to the province’s application, there were 161 people experiencing homelessness as of September 2025.

“It’s heartbreaking,” Jankov said. “We all respect and understand that people are going through some difficult times.”

However, Jankov said the council’s decision can’t be based on that alone.

“We have to adhere to existing zoning and development bylaw. So right now, we have to look at whether or not a site specific exemption is an appropriate area for what might or might not be required by the province.”

A date for the public consultation hasn’t been set yet, but one will be scheduled within the next few weeks, Jankov said.