Thunder Bay Council Chambers (File Photo)
Thunder Bay is almost ready to move forward with a temporary shelter village.
City administration is bringing a report back to Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting and they are advising city council to approve the Miles Street East location which would support 80 shelter units.
For the past two years, the city has been investigating potential solutions to help its homeless population.
This year two potential sites at Miles Street and Kam River Heritage Park were selected for council to choose between.
The Miles Street site is being proposed because of cheaper construction costs and public consultation results.
Just under 70 per cent of survey respondents preferred the suggested location.
The cost of the Miles location is estimated to be between $4-4.3 million which is below the city’s maximum contribution cap of $5 million compared to the Kam River location which would come in around $5.9–$6.8 million.
Another issue considered by administration was construction timelines.
The hope is that the new shelter village will be established by April 30, 2025.
If the Kam River Park location was selected a homeless encampment would have to be relocated for construction, impacting timelines.
The plan for a temporary shelter village is part of the city’s broader Human Rights-Based Community Action Plan, which was approved by council.
The plan is designed to address the homelessness crisis while the city and partners work to expand long-term social, transitional, and supportive housing options.
If council approves the selection of Miles Street for the village, then the project will be set to move forward.
