Next federal government should prioritize affordable housing: Thunder Bay advocate

Continued investments in affordable housing should be a priority for the next federal government if any progress is to be made on the homelessness crisis in Thunder Bay, the executive director of a community organization said.

Nicole Latour, of Alpha Court, said the organization is seeing "significant demand" for its housing programs, with more than 80 people on the waiting list.

"We're seeing less housing stock, less affordable units that we're able to acquire for our clients," Latour said. 

"So we're really looking for opportunities to build our own homes for individuals that are unhoused."

The City of Thunder Bay is working to address the issue through the construction of a temporary shelter village, which would include mini cabins that could be used by the city's unhoused population.

However, council has yet to give its final approval to a site: the matter will be back before councillors on Monday, when they'll debate potential locations at Kam River Heritage Park and along Fort William Road, across from the CLE grounds.

Latour supports the village idea, saying it would offer security and support for unhoused people. 

"It also provides us an opportunity to connect better with people and assist them make their journey through the continuum of housing."

And while housing does fall under the federal government, Latour said shelter-based housing is a municipal responsibility.

"I really think that the two should be working closely together, and the city providing the temporary shelter," she said. "We need to look at providing more stable, permanent housing for individuals that are unhoused, and that would really fall under the federal government."

CBC contacted the federal candidates for the major parties in the Thunder Bay-Rainy River riding — the riding where the the city is considering sites for the temporary shelter village.

Liberal incumbent Marcus Powlowski said he objected to a south core location for the village. But would have supported a site in the intercity area or in the north side near the Salvation Army.

"I think in choosing a site, you just want to be careful to put it in a place where you're going to have minimum adverse effects on other people, whether it's businesses or residents," he said.

Powlowski said homelessness is often entwined with other social issues such as mental health and addiction. He added that more services need to be offered.