Thunder Bay’s new temporary shelter village has sparked debate among municipal election candidates over its policy allowing residents to use drugs inside their cabins.
The village at 879 Alloy Place has 80 sleeping cabins, along with shared kitchen, washroom and laundry facilities. Residents are moving in gradually.
Drug use is allowed inside individual cabins but prohibited in common areas and outdoor shared spaces. The city says each cabin has an emergency alert system to help staff respond to overdoses and other emergencies.
Residents also have access to harm reduction services and addiction health care. The city says the approach supports people who may not be ready to stop using substances.
Lindsay Martin, executive director of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Northwestern Ontario, said criticism of the policy reflects the stigma surrounding homelessness and drug use.
She said harm reduction can help people move toward treatment, reduce substance use or eventually stop using drugs.
A similar housing-first approach is used in Sudbury’s Lotus Transitional Housing Project. Research found residents made far fewer emergency department visits after being housed, with average visits dropping from about 19 per year to fewer than five.
Residents at Thunder Bay’s village must take part in a support plan while working toward permanent housing and can stay for up to four years.
