Corner Brook Mayor Jim Parsons believes not enough supports are being provided to help people living in transitional and emergency housing in the city—an issue that’s come to the fore in the west coast city in recent months.

Residents of Corner Brook have noticed an increase in vandalism, shoplifting and panhandling in recent months and the city has lost some 90 parking meters since January due to vandalism.

Newfoundland and Labrador Housing is booking rooms at the Corner Brook Hotel, which is privately owned, for emergency housing. Over the course of a year, NLHC says the hotel has housed an average of 25 people a day.

NLHC is cautioning against correlating criminal activity with homelessness and is working with the mayor to address concerns related to housing and homelessness and the supports available.

In the meantime, NL Housing says tenders have been called for the construction of the first six of 50 affordable housing units slated for the west coast.