Enhanced Encampment Response

Supporting People. Protecting Public Spaces. Building Long-Term Solutions.

The City of Thunder Bay has created a 10-part plan to improve how we respond to unsheltered homelessness and encampments in our community.

Encampments are a symptom of larger issues—like a lack of affordable housing, mental health services, and income supports. This plan focuses on improving health and safety, providing better support, and working toward long-term housing solutions.

It’s a human rights-based approach built on dignity, coordination, and care.

What Is the Enhanced Encampment Response Plan?

This plan includes 10 key parts to make our response to encampments more compassionate, organized, and effective. It’s about helping people who are unsheltered access the support they need while also protecting public health and safety.

The plan brings together:

City departments
Health and social service agencies
Indigenous partners
People with lived experience of homelessness

It’s a city-wide effort that requires strong collaboration and shared responsibility.

The Temporary Shelter Village: One Key Part of the Plan

Artist rendering of the Temporary Shelter Village at Kam River Heritage Park One of the most important pieces of the plan is a Temporary Shelter Village at Kam River Heritage Park. It's a Safer Alternative to Encampments.

This Village will:

Provide up to 80 private, heated units
Include hygiene facilities like showers, washrooms and laundry facilities
Offer wraparound support: health care, mental health, addictions services, housing help, and job support

It’s not just a place to stay—it’s a stepping stone to a healthier, more stable future. It will reduce the number of encampments that pose public health and safety risks in parks and public spaces and give people a better path forward.

The 10 Actions in the Plan

1. Advocate for Systemic Solutions

We’re calling on the provincial and federal governments to provide the funding and policy changes needed to address homelessness. Municipalities can’t do it alone.

2. Work Together for 360° Support

We’re coordinating with community partners, service providers, and people with lived experience to make sure people in encampments get full-circle support: food, health care, housing, and more.

3. Improve Clean-Up and Sanitation

We’re increasing garbage collection and sanitation services at encampment sites to reduce health risks and improve conditions for everyone.

4. Build the Temporary Shelter Village

We’re creating a safe and supportive Temporary Shelter Village with individual units and services to help people move toward permanent housing.

5. Explore Designated Encampment Areas

We’re looking into up to three designated locations where services can be delivered more efficiently and safely, reducing the strain on emergency services.

6. Review Public Space By-Laws

We’re reviewing municipal by-laws to better manage how public spaces are used, including sheltering. This helps balance safety, rights, and responsibilities.

7. Launch an Encampment Response Team

We’re creating a dedicated response team to coordinate services, respond to concerns, support compliance, and work directly with people in encampments.

8. Centre Lived Experience

We’re establishing a Lived and Living Experience Advisory Committee to make sure people who have experienced homelessness guide the decisions we make.

9. Keep the Public Informed

We’re developing a communications and engagement plan to keep residents, service providers, and encampment residents updated and involved in this work.

10. Support Long-Term Housing Solutions

We’re working with TBDSSAB and housing partners to align this plan with long-term housing strategies. The ultimate goal is to get people into permanent, stable homes.

Frequently Asked Questions

We know the Enhanced Encampment Response Plan and the Temporary Shelter Village are big changes—and people have questions. This section provides clear answers about how the plan works, what the Village will offer, why it’s needed, and what the next steps are. Whether you're a resident, business owner, service provider, or just want to learn more, these FAQs are here to help you understand how Thunder Bay is responding to unsheltered homelessness with care, safety, and long-term solutions in mind.

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