Thunder Bay council member plans to propose the removal of a planned temporary shelter village as part of the city’s Human Rights-Based Community Action Plan. The motion aims to redirect focus to securing additional funding from a new federal grant of $13 billion for affordable housing and homelessness. The councillor suggests investing in permanent housing structures with the potential funding, advocating for partnerships with specialized organizations for supportive housing models.
The councillor highlighted that the city previously received $20 million from the federal Housing Accelerator Fund and anticipates a proportionate increase with the new federal program. The emphasis is on utilizing the funds to construct permanent housing instead of the temporary village, which was not expected to be ready for the upcoming winter season.
The city plans to address immediate housing needs using existing facilities and hotels this winter, with an increase in available beds from organizations like Urban Abbey and PACE. Despite progress on the temporary shelter village construction at the Hillyard site, the councillor’s proposal could potentially halt the project, affecting the allocated budget and operational plans.
The councillor’s motion also brings into question the potential impact on the ongoing procurement process for the village’s construction and operation contracts. Concerns were raised about the future strategy for addressing homelessness in Thunder Bay if the shelter village project is discontinued.
While acknowledging the need for affordable housing, other city officials stressed the importance of supportive and transitional housing for individuals experiencing homelessness. The councillor emphasized the possibility of reintroducing the temporary shelter village in the future if the motion is approved, emphasizing the importance of advocating for permanent transitional housing with essential amenities.
