Thunder Bay, Ont., residents share thoughts on designated encampments for unhoused people

Rilee Willianen says the City of Thunder Bay has received wide-ranging feedback about its plans to create designated encampment sites.

“There's people who are in strong opposition. There's also people who are in strong support. It really is a mixed bag,” said Willianen, the city’s encampment response supervisor.

If approved by city council, the sites would provide support for people living outdoors in designated areas — including potable water, toilets, handwashing stations, garbage collection and co-ordinated outreach.

Rather than ripping down tents, city council approved taking a human rights-based approach to unsheltered homelessness in 2023. It then approved a 10-part Enhanced Encampment Response plan the following year.

That plan includes looking into designated encampment sites as well as a use of public spaces bylaw, which would establish how public spaces are to be used by all community members — including people living in encampments.

“This approach reduces the strain on community partners who would otherwise need to support individuals across multiple, unregulated locations. It also simplifies administration by centralizing resources, making it easier to monitor conditions and support compliance,” says the plan’s section on designated encampments.

“For encampment residents, these designated areas offer reliable access to critical services, improving health and well-being while fostering a more stable and supportive environment.”

Meanwhile, construction continues on the long-awaited temporary shelter village, which will include an on-site operator and 80 sleeping cabins at the end of Alloy Place.

More than 650 people are known to be experiencing homelessness in the northwestern Ontario city, according to the latest point-in-time count conducted in the fall. However, advocates say the actual number could be double that.

Facing rising pressures from social service agencies and Indigenous leaders, city council declared homelessness as a humanitarian crisis last month.

City staff are recommending councillors approve up to three designated encampment sites out of a list of six options:

These sites were identified based on several guiding criteria:

Staff also considered distance guidelines, meaning how close the sites are to sensitive land uses such as schools, waterways and recreational areas.

About 125 people attended a public drop-in session about the sites at the Intercity Shopping Centre Wednesday evening, said Willainen.