A long-awaited temporary shelter village for people experiencing homelessness in Thunder Bay, Ont., is finally up and running, with the first residents set to move in on Friday.
The village, located at 879 Alloy Place, features 80 sleeping cabins along with common buildings that include a kitchen, washrooms, laundry facilities, and a security office built by Thunder Bay company Mod Box Modular.
“The units are climate controlled, they have locking doors, they are suitable for double occupancy or single occupancy. We have some accessible units as well, and all of the units can be adapted to suit residents’ needs,” said Rilee Willianen, the city’s supervisor of encampment response, during a media tour of the site on Thursday.
This project is part of the city’s 10-part Enhanced Encampment Response plan that was approved by councillors in 2024. It has faced several delays due to public concerns about its location.
PHOTOS | See the new temporary shelter village opening in Thunder Bay:
Construction delays also postponed the opening of the village’s first units that were initially expected to be occupied this summer.
The first 40 units now have electricity connected, with the rest anticipated to be hooked up in the next couple of weeks.
The city took inspiration from similar projects across Ontario like Peterborough’s Modular Bridge Housing Community.
“This is a fairly new style of modular bridge housing, so we’ve been in regular discussion and have definitely taken some lessons learned from them into our village,” Willianen said regarding other communities’ experiences.
‘We need to gradually scale up’
Each living unit comes equipped with a bed, desk, window, laundry bin and garbage bins as well as a clothing rack.
The units also include Lifeguard Lite panels on the walls that allow residents to press a button if they want monitoring while using drugs. If they don’t press the thumbs-up button before time runs out on the timer, staff will be alerted that assistance may be needed. The panel also features smoke detection sensors and an evacuation alarm.
A close-up of a Lifeguard Lite panel inside a unit at the temporary shelter village in Thunder Bay, Ont. These allow residents to press a button when they consume a substance. If the timer runs out before the resident presses the thumbs up button, staff are alerted that they may need assistance. The panel also has a smoke detection sensor and evacuation alarm. (Sarah Law/CBC)
Residents are required to participate in support plans while working towards securing long-term housing solutions. They can stay at the village for up to four years.
“We’ll be working directly with DSSAB [District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board] and their partners. There are several transitional units expected to come online over the next few years; we will collaborate with them to help people move from streets into [the] village and eventually into homes,” Willianen explained.
People can get referred to live at this shelter village through partners within Thunder Bay’s emergency shelter system or through city encampment response teams according to Willianen.
Rilee Willianen, supervisor of encampment response for City of Thunder Bay shows members of media around temporary shelter village. (Sarah Law/CBC)
Eligibility is determined using something called Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (SPDAT), which social service agencies use to evaluate people’s urgent needs.
While currently made up of structures placed on gravel surfaces, Willianen mentioned that city has teamed up with Confederation College so students can start building items like planter boxes or picnic tables to enhance it further.
No timeline exists for when full occupancy will happen; however Willianen stated that taking things step-by-step has always been part of their plan.
“We want this village to succeed; we need gradual scaling – how fast it happens really depends on how things go,” she noted. “Of course we want this place operational and functioning as quickly as possible.”
The province contributed $2.8 million towards this project which lowered city’s original commitment down from $5 million overall budgeted costs for operation each year totaling $1.5 million specifically allocated towards maintaining operations at this site .
On-site services , security , support
This facility is being operated by Demetrakopoulos Enterprises Inc. There are fourteen total staff members: program manager , program supervisor , system navigators , community support leads along with community support workers. p>
“We’ve got twenty-four hour supervision plus assistance provided both via security officers alongside our dedicated community support workers who work tirelessly around clock. Additionally breakfast served daily every resident ,” Anton Demetrakopoulos executive director Shelter Village Thunder Bay remarked. p>Anton Demetrakopoulos serves executive director role overseeing day-to-day operations ensure best outcomes possible those utilizing resources available here. He expressed optimism given training received staff members received adequate coaching from city’s encampment response team emergency shelters operators learn how effectively aid individuals residing within facility setting.’
“Our peer supervision services available onsite assist tasks ranging laundry transport appointments etc., Lastly navigators offer guidance counseling case management obtaining identification income supports housing focused help “.
Grace Place Urban Abbey Shelter House’s emergency providers expressed hopefulness having temporary sanctuary open relieve strain faced winter months ahead.
“I’m excited looking forward seeing initiative unfold ” Brendan Cartlin executive director Shelter House shared excitement past few days watched progress clients prepare transition smoothly moving peacefully off street environment secure supportive encourage healing growth.”
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