Tent city protesters don't want to go into shelters. These complaints we obtained explain why

Sheltered, a CBC Investigates series, examines the housing crisis in Newfoundland and Labrador — telling the stories of the people living it, while scrutinizing the policies and politics behind it.

A litany of health and safety concerns have been flagged to the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation about for-profit shelters over the last year, but the provincial government is still funnelling millions to private operators to handle the homelessness crisis despite previous pledges to move away from them.

Conditions inside private shelters have been a linchpin issue for a group of homeless protesters sleeping in tents across from the provincial legislature. They've complained that the buildings are unclean, unsafe and unacceptable. 

CBC News has obtained through access to information dozens of complaints documented at the housing corporation about for-profit private shelters. They range from a lack of food, to violence, uncleanliness and the unwanted solicitation of female clients. 

There is no minimum standard for conditions in private accommodations. The provincial government, however, says change is on the horizon and has contracted a company to establish a set of shelter standards.

Though names and addresses are redacted, it's clear the complaints come from both community partners and clients themselves. Information identifying the shelter operator is also blacked out. 

Last September, a client said she was "continually solicited for sex by another shelter guest and felt incredibly unsafe."

More than one woman reported being solicited for sex, according to one complaint. Employees with the health authority's harm reduction staff noted men approached them to solicit sex when outside a particular shelter and that "it appears to be a pattern when females are close to the shelter site."

The housing corporation received a complaint that same month that "there are allegations that the shelter operator at [redacted] has been engaging in sex acts with clients."

It noted that "as of yet, these allegations have yet to be substantiated, at least not to [redacted] but by observation and community partners." 

In an emailed statement to CBC regarding that note, the housing corporation said it forwarded the information to the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary for investigation. 

The RNC, however, could not find a record of a complaint being made by publishing time with the information provided. 

Clients who rely on the for-profit shelter system often fear repercussions of speaking up, according to the complaint ledger. 

"I wanted to file a complaint about the living situation [at the shelter] and wondering the last time someone has monitored this place? No working stove or microwave and [redacted] advised he was handed a wooden handle when he entered the home to protect himself," one complaint said.