Following extensive analysis, engagement, and a commitment to community safety and wellbeing, the City has identified 1111 Fort William Road, a parcel of land owned by the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority (LRCA), as the recommended site for the Temporary Shelter Village Initiative. This recommendation comes after careful consideration of over 50 alternative locations across the city.

The proposed site is the result of Council direction in late 2024 to revisit options after a previous recommendation was not approved. In response, City Administration led a detailed reassessment of municipally owned land, issued a public call for private property, and launched a public survey inviting residents to share ideas and feedback on possible locations.

“This recommendation reflects everything we’ve heard from the community, service providers, and internal experts,” said Rilee Willianen, Encampment Response Lead. “We need a site that is ready for development and close to services, and one that also reflects our community’s vision for a safer and compassionate city. This site strikes that balance.”

The Temporary Village Initiative—referred to as “the Village”—is a key component of Thunder Bay’s Enhanced Encampment Response: A Human Rights-Based Community Action Plan, a 10-part plan that was approved by Council in October 2024. Designed as a safer alternative to unmanaged encampments, the Village will offer access to temporary shelter and onsite supports to people experiencing homelessness, particularly those with complex needs.

Benefits of the Village include:

  • Access to warm, secure shelter, particularly during extreme weather
  • Connections to mental health, addiction, and housing supports that help residents move toward permanent housing
  • Reduced strain on emergency services and social systems

This initiative aligns with the City’s long-term goals to strengthen neighbourhoods, address homelessness, support equity, and create a thriving, inclusive city for all. It contributes directly to the Community Safety & Well-Being Plan, the Indigenous Relations & Inclusion Strategy, and the Thunder Bay Drug Strategy.

“This initiative supports the well-being of the entire community,” added Willianen. “We know from research that providing safer shelter options helps individuals stabilize and access services and reduces encampments. The Village represents a smart investment in both compassion and community resilience.”

Site features and benefits

The proposed site offers a strong balance of location, infrastructure, and safety. Key features include:

  • Capacity for up to 100 units, along with hygiene and laundry facilities, an office and indoor common space, an outdoor gathering area, and staff parking.
  • Proximity to public transit and essential health and social services.
  • Flat and clear land with existing nearby infrastructure (power, water, sewer), allowing for quick construction and cost-efficiency
  • Historical encampment activity nearby, increasing likelihood of resident acceptance
  • A regulation fire lane for emergency vehicle access
  • An 8-foot-high privacy fence to buffer adjacent properties
  • Opaque fencing to support resident dignity and reduce visibility from the street
  • A nearby security camera through the City’s Eye on the Street program

The property is not located directly within a residential neighbourhood, helping reduce potential conflicts, while still being accessible and near to services. Its central location also addresses public calls for a more balanced geographic option.

Also, the site is not municipally owned, which means it does not conflict with other municipal development plans and will be temporary in nature. A lease agreement with the LRCA is being pursued, and the LRCA Board has already given in principle approval, subject to further conditions.

Next steps

If approved by City Council on April 7, the City will enter lease negotiations with the LRCA. Next steps will include engagement with Indigenous leaders and community partners. Additionally, the City will collaborate with the LRCA to engage the public, with a focus on educating how the Village will operate and identifying means to address community concerns.

The City has secured over $2.8 million in external funding, covering more than half of the project’s capital costs. To receive this funding, construction must begin within 120 days of the agreement being signed and at least 80 units must be built by the end of 2025.

 

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Contact:          Stacey Levanen, Information & Public Engagement Specialist, 807-625-3650