Enhanced Encampment Response

*Update: April 29, 2025

Artist rendering of the Temporary Shelter Village City Council has approved Kam River Heritage Park as the location for the City’s new Temporary Shelter Village. This decision is subject to final approval at the May 5th City Council meeting.

The project will transform an unmanaged encampment site into a structured community with up to 80 heated, private units. The Village is designed to bridge the gap between homelessness and housing, providing access to essential health, housing and social supports and off site, as well as:

$2.8 million in external funding secured, reducing the municipal contribution to capital and construction by nearly half.
Up to 80 private, powered and heated units, with shared washrooms, showers and laundry.
24/7 staffing and security to for the safety of residents and broader community.
Close proximity to 14 key social support services, offering residents direct access to stabilization supports.
$2 million in infrastructure investment, laying the groundwork for future park revitalization.

This site was selected after a comparative site analysis and feedback from various community groups

Construction at Kam River Heritage Park is expected to begin this summer, with phased occupancy anticipated to start in late 2025.

A human rights-based approach to encampments

Thunder Bay has adopted a new, compassionate approach to encampments—one that puts human rights at the centre. This Enhanced Encampment Response aims to support people living unsheltered with dignity, safety, and pathways to housing.

Our approach is built on five key principles:

Respect for human rights: People living in encampments have the right to shelter and to be involved in decisions affecting them.
No forced evictions: Encampment residents won’t be displaced without safe, indoor shelter alternatives.
Meaningful engagement: A new Lived Experience Advisory Committee will guide the plan, ensuring decisions reflect real lived experience.
Dignified access to basic services: Sanitation, water, and waste removal will be improved at encampment sites.
Respect for Indigenous rights: Indigenous-led engagement will shape responses that reflect the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in encampments.

This plan sets out ten key goals to help Thunder Bay respond more effectively to unsheltered homelessness. It calls for a united effort from the whole community, including strong leadership from City Council and City staff. By bringing different initiatives together into one coordinated approach, the City aims to improve the health and safety of encampments, connect people to services and housing, and ease the pressure on community organizations, residents, and the public. Encampments are a symptom of the housing crisis—not a solution. This plan responds to immediate needs while working toward lasting change. It aims to reduce harm, improve lives, and make our city safer and more compassionate for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Part four of the plan is to Develop and Implement a Temporary Village to Support Up to 100 Units

The objective: Temporary indoor sheltering units with comprehensive wrap-around services are provided as a Housing First approach to encampments. This prioritizes stable housing as the foundation for addressing homelessness. It's a Safer Alternative to Encampments.

How much will the Temporary Village cost, and who is paying for it?

The Temporary Village’s estimated capital and construction costs are $5.5 million. Of that amount, $2.8 million has already been secured through external funding. The remaining $2.7 million is currently being funded through the City’s Renew Thunder Bay Reserve Fund. City staff continue to seek additional external funding to reduce the amount paid by the municipality.

The annual operating cost is $1.5 million, which is funded through the City’s tax-supported budget.

What is the timeline for implementation?

Pending Council approval of a site, site servicing and construction is anticipated to begin by July 2025. Phased occupancy is anticipated to start in the fall of 2025. This timeline allows time for site preparation (e.g., installing water, hydro, and sanitation infrastructure), finalizing the contract with the third-party operator, and ensuring all safety and operational protocols are in place.

Who will operate the Village? Will it be run by the City?

The Village will not be operated by the City. It will be operated by a qualified third-party service provider, selected through a competitive process. The operator will be required to have experience working with individuals with complex needs and must coordinate closely with District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board and other local service providers to ensure residents are supported on a path to permanent housing. Although the City will not directly operate the site, it will maintain oversight through regular reporting and scheduled site inspections to ensure accountability, safety, and alignment with community and program expectations.

Can emergency services access the Temporary Village site?

Yes. Emergency services, including fire and ambulance, can access the Temporary Village site. Thunder Bay Fire Rescue and Superior North EMS have both reviewed the location and confirmed that it meets access requirements, which includes an underpass access point and an above ground access point.

Will crime increase in the area?

While there is no formal local data analysis confirming a correlation between encampments and crime, we understand these concerns often reflect community experiences of social disorder. The Temporary Village is designed to reduce these pressures by providing people with a safer, more stable environment. Residents will receive support, an address to assist with social assistance and ID applications, and clear expectations for respectful behaviour outlined in a code of conduct. Other cities implementing similar models in areas with existing social challenges have seen reductions in emergency service calls and improved sense of safety.

Will drug use be allowed on site?

Drug use will not be permitted in shared indoor spaces, public areas, or elsewhere on the Village grounds. However, to maintain a low-barrier approach that meets accessibility needs, drug use will be permitted within private units. This is an important part of the model, as the absence of low-barrier shelter options can lead individuals to use drugs in public spaces. By providing a safer, more private alternative, the Village is expected to help reduce public drug use. To further support safety, each unit will be equipped with an emergency timer system designed to alert staff in the event of a medical emergency.

Will there be a visitor policy?

The Village will have a strict and enforced visitor policy in place to ensure the safety, security, and wellbeing of both residents and the surrounding community. Only approved visitors will be permitted on site during designated hours, and all guests will be required to check in with security upon arrival. The visitor policy will be clearly communicated to residents and will form part of the code of conduct. Violations may result in consequences for both the visitor and the resident, including potential revocation of visitation privileges.

Will there be rules and expectations for residents?

Each resident will be required to sign an occupancy agreement outlining the code of conduct, including behavioural expectations and consequences for violations, up to and including eviction. The Village is intended for individuals who want to stabilize their lives and transition into housing, not to maintain the status quo. Designated encampments will continue to be available elsewhere for individuals not ready to engage with the supports the Village offers.

Will it be full right away?

The Village will be opened using a phased approach to occupancy, starting with a smaller number of individuals and scaling up over time. This will allow staff to ensure the right supports are in place, establish operational routines, and address any unforeseen issues early on. The phased approach also helps with community monitoring and adjustment.

Is it safe to locate near the water?

It’s important to note that many existing encampments are already situated near waterways. To date, there has been no evidence of personal safety issues directly related to this proximity. The Village will be thoughtfully designed with appropriate safety and security measures, including full privacy fencing and regular perimeter checks. Additionally, individuals with lived experience have shared that being near water holds personal and cultural significance.

Will this reduce the number of encampments in the area?

The Village is expected to reduce the overall number of encampments and people living unsheltered in our community. At the same time, the City is working to identify designated encampment sites in other areas, recognizing that the Village alone will not fully meet the scale of need. To ensure stability and safety around the Village, no designated encampments will be located near the Village.

Will it impact property values?

There is often concern that similar models might lower property values. However, research from other communities regarding supportive and transitional housing, which most closely resembles the Village’s anticipated operating model, shows that well-managed sites with clear rules, strong oversight and coordinated services do not lead to decreases in property values. In fact, they may help improve surrounding areas by addressing existing social challenges.

Who can I talk to for more information?

Rilee Willianen, Encampment Response Lead
Phone: 807-627-1453
Email: sheltervillage@thunderbay.ca