THUNDER BAY — City administration has pinpointed two south-side locations for the proposed "temporary village" that would provide shelter for homeless individuals.
One possible site is the Kam River Heritage Park off Syndicate Avenue, where administration says there is space for up to 100 units.
The other potential site is a vacant lot at 114 Miles St. East, which could accommodate up to 80 units.
The locations are identified in a report prepared for city council's consideration at its meeting on Monday evening.
Administration currently estimates it would cost between $4 million and $4.3 million to place the village at the Miles St. site, with annual operating costs of $1.5 million to $2 million.
At Kam River Heritage Park, the initial estimated cost would be $5.9 million to $6.8 million, and annual operating costs would be $1.5 million to $2.5 million.
The report acknowledges choosing this site would result in costs that exceed the city's current self-imposed cap, but adds that administration wants to explore ways to reduce costs because of the advantages the location offers, including the capacity for more units than the Miles St. site.
It also states that putting the village in the park may generate "less community opposition" and notes that people already live in an encampment there.
At 114 Miles St. East, however, less site preparation would be required, and the fact that it would have higher public visibility "may increase public awareness and understanding of the model."
At a meeting earlier this month, administration stressed "This is not another encampment. It is a structured community designed to provide stable, dignified temporary shelter."
Wrap-around supports would be provided to residents of the village in a secure, staffed environment under the supervision of a service provider with experience in sheltering/housing populations with complex needs, or an operator who can obtain that expertise through sub-contracting.
Although the initial cost would come from the city's reserve funds, administration says it is confident of recovering costs through federal and provincial government programs.
It also proposes to pursue external funding for the annual operating costs, but says pending any approval of such a request, the financial impact of $1.5 million would be included in next year's tax-supported budget.
Administration describes the project as a "thoughtful, temporary solution while long-term housing developments are underway," and says it positions Thunder Bay as a model for other cities facing similar challenges.
