The City of Thunder Bay has created an Enhanced Encampment Response 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.
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
One of the most important pieces of the plan is a Temporary Shelter Village.
This Village will:
- Provide 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 experiencing homelessness a better path forward.
Hillyard Site Selected for Temporary Shelter Village
On July 21, 2025, City Council confirmed 879 Alloy Place, known as the Hillyard Lands, as the location for Thunder Bay’s Temporary Shelter Village. This supported, transitional shelter will include 80 heated sleeping cabins, shared washrooms, meals, 24/7 staffing, and access to health care, harm reduction, and housing supports.
The Village is a temporary measure designed to help people living in encampments and experiencing homelessness to stabilize, connect with services, and move toward more appropriate housing. Construction is planned to begin in August 2025, with the first 40 units operational by December 15, 2025.
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 more appropriate housing. |
| 5. Explore Allowable 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 The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board 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.
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Is the decision to build the Temporary Shelter Village at 879 Alloy Place final? |
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Yes. City Council confirmed the Hillyard Site (879 Alloy Place) as the location for the Temporary Shelter Village on July 21, 2025. This decision is final unless major, unresolvable issues come up during the site review - such as serious safety concerns or costs that go well beyond the approved budget. |
| Why was this site selected without public consultation? |
| Council voted to move forward with the site near Alloy Drive at the most recent meeting. As administration, our role is to carry out Council’s direction and we’re focused on the next steps: site preparation, safety assessments, and getting the Village built. We’ll continue to share information and engage with the public as the project moves forward. |
| How is the City keeping people informed and involved in the project? |
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The City is committed to keeping businesses, residents, and the wider community informed as the Temporary Shelter Village moves forward. We’ll be sharing updates regularly and clearly through different channels, like the City’s website, social media, and printed materials. We’re also setting up a Neighbourhood Liaison Committee. This group will include local business owners, residents, police, City staff, people with lived experience, and others. It will be led by the City’s Encampment Response Lead to ensure strong communication and accountability. |
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What does 'temporary' mean? How can we believe it will only be temporary? |
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‘Temporary’ means the site is intended for short-term use - our funding agreement requires us to operate the Village for five years. The units will be designed to be removed or repurposed. City staff have committed to regular reporting and engagement to ensure transparency. |
| How will construction impact our operations? |
| The City is mindful of impacts and will keep businesses informed. Construction is expected to begin in August 2025. Work will be phased and coordinated to minimize disruption. Site preparation and modular unit installation will occur in stages. |
| What is the City doing to protect nearby businesses? |
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The Temporary Shelter Village is designed with secure boundaries and constant supervision. The Village will provide supportive services onsite, including 24/7 staffing and security. Security measures and design features will include buffer zones, fencing, and lighting. The project budget includes funding for regular garbage pickup and site maintenance, and the Village will be regularly monitored to assess whether any additional supports are needed. If issues arise, the City will work with the appropriate vendors to address them. Providing housing reduces public disorder, improves safety, and decreases emergency response costs. The site will be staffed, monitored, and maintained to support both residents and the surrounding community. |
| What does the shelter provide? |
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It includes 80 small cabins, each with heating, air conditioning, and a locking door. Residents also have access to washrooms, laundry facilities, food, on-site programming including navigation supports to other health, social and housing supports. It is not an emergency shelter—it is a step forward in helping people transition from homelessness to more appropriate housing. |
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Who will live there? |
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The Temporary Shelter Village will serve people who have a long history of living unsheltered and face barriers to accessing traditional emergency shelters. Priority will be given to those with the highest needs. |
| What about the future of the site? |
| Once the Village is no longer needed, the site -now serviced -will be available for future development. The Village is a temporary measure in response to a housing and homelessness crisis. |
| 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. |
| Will there be a visitor policy? |
| Yes. Only approved visitors will be permitted during designated hours and must check in with security. The visitor policy will be part of the code of conduct and violations may result in consequences for both residents and guests. |
| Will people be allowed to use substances on site? |
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Substance use will not be permitted in shared spaces or public areas. However, to maintain accessibility, it will be allowed in private units. Emergency alert systems will be installed in each unit to ensure rapid staff response to overdoses or other emergencies. |
| Who will operate the Village? Will it be run by the City? |
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The Village will be operated by a qualified third-party provider, selected through a competitive process. The City will maintain oversight through reporting and inspections. The City and Operator will work collaboratively with the housing sector, including the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB) to provide pathways to appropriate housing. |
| Who can I talk to for more information? |
| Rilee Willianen, Encampment Response Lead Phone: 807-627-1453 Email: sheltervillage@thunderbay.ca |
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