A long-awaited temporary shelter village for people experiencing homelessness in Thunder Bay, Ont., is now open, with the first residents expected to move in Friday.
The village at 879 Alloy Place has 80 sleeping cabins, along with shared buildings that include a kitchen, washrooms, laundry facilities and a security office. The cabins were built by Thunder Bay company ModBox Modular.
The units have heating and air conditioning, locking doors and can be used by one or two people. Some are accessible, and the units can be changed to meet residents’ needs, said Rilee Willianen, the city’s supervisor of encampment response.
The project is part of the city’s 10-part Enhanced Encampment Response plan, approved in 2024. The village faced several delays over the location of the site and construction.
The first 40 cabins are now connected to electricity, with the rest expected to be connected within the next few weeks.
Each cabin has a bed, desk, window, clothing rack, garbage bins and laundry equipment. The units also have panels that allow residents using drugs to call for monitoring. Staff are alerted if a resident does not confirm they are safe within a set time.
Residents will work with support staff to find permanent housing and can stay at the village for up to four years.
People can be referred to the village through emergency shelter partners or the city’s encampment response team. Eligibility is based on an assessment of their housing and support needs.
The city plans to improve the site over time, including working with Confederation College students on projects such as planter boxes and picnic tables.
The village will open in phases, with the city saying it wants to make sure the program is working well before reaching full capacity.
The province contributed $2.8 million toward the project, reducing the city’s original $5-million contribution. The village will cost about $1.5 million a year to operate.
Shelter Village Thunder Bay is operated by Demetrakopoulos Enterprises Inc. It has 14 staff members, including program managers, support workers and system navigators.
Staff will provide 24-hour support, daily breakfast, transportation help, counselling, case management, assistance getting identification and income supports, and help finding housing.
Local emergency shelter operators have said they are hopeful the village will help reduce pressure on the shelter system, particularly during the winter.
