THUNDER BAY – LOCAL POLITICS – Thunder Bay City Council is taking steps to address the city’s housing and homelessness challenges, advancing a proposal to establish three designated encampment sites for final approval.
In an effort to better manage the use of public spaces and support vulnerable populations, the council has identified three specific areas to serve as sanctioned encampments: Freedom Park, Current River Park, and a location along Simpson Street currently in use.
For residents, it is hoped that this move can provide the city with the ability to move people from some of the encampment sites currently in use or used in recent years, but not designated.
Residents have been expressing frustration over some of the encampment sites, and local businesses in the areas have expressed concern as shoplifting, panhandling, and violence have become all too common.
This localized approach to homelessness is expected to involve coordination with the Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB).
Councillor Kasey Taylor Etreni states, “Last night, Council made a strong decision with a majority vote to move forward with three designated temporary encampment sites as part of the next phase of our 10-part plan addressing homelessness and community safety.
“I know not everyone will agree with the locations chosen, and I understand the concerns being raised. However, the current situation is not working for anyone – not for those who are unhoused, and not for nearby neighbourhoods and businesses. With over 15 unmanaged encampment sites early last summer, and numbers continued to grow throughout the summer. we cannot return to that level of disruption in our community”.
Earlier city documents estimated fencing and privacy screening for all three sites would cost about $200,000 plus HST, with another estimated $15,000 plus HST for cold-rated and fire-rated pallets. Staff previously warned the fencing and screening cost could affect other capital work, including the timing of the Mission Island Bridge construction project.
The broader policy direction is tied to Thunder Bay’s Enhanced Encampment Response Plan. The city says the plan is based on a human-rights approach, recognizes encampments as a symptom of larger housing, income and health-system pressures, and aims to improve safety while longer-term housing solutions are pursued.
By consolidating these living areas into specific designated zones, the city aims to navigate the complex intersection of public space management and the ongoing housing crisis. In the past six years, the point in time count for homeless or unhoused people in Thunder Bay has continued to spike upwards.
The plan now awaits final approval from the city council.
