Why a single-family home in Thunder Bay was converted into 5 transitional housing units

A new supportive transitional living house in Thunder Bay, Ont. has given women and gender-diverse people a safe space to call home.

Located on Cameron Street, the residence was purchased in October, with renovations completed in January. It has been open for a few months and is already at full capacity, with four rooms upstairs and an accessible room downstairs – though there is still a need for an accessible washroom on the main floor and a ramp. 

The project's goal is to fill the gap in transitional housing for women and gender-diverse people in Thunder Bay who have been incarcerated or are at risk of criminalization. Supporting these individuals is at the heart of the charity's work.

While planning has been underway for decades, focused research on the project began in 2016. Lindsay Martin, Elizabeth Fry NWO's executive director, said the house is the first of its kind in the city.

"Some of the individuals that I've spoken with have felt like they're finally home, and that's something that really kind of shakes me to the core," Martin said. 

"When somebody feels like they're in a space and it feels like home, they have an opportunity to really ground themselves and be able to work on whatever they need to work on."

The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB) provided $214,600 for the project in April 2022. That money came to the board through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH)'s Social Services Relief Fund (SSRF).

"On behalf of the board, thank you to MMAH for the funding that made this investment possible through the Social Services Relief Fund (SSRF). And thank you to Elizabeth Fry Society for taking on this project. We are stronger together, and so are the people we serve," said Ken Boshcoff, the city's mayor and chair of TBDSSAB's board of directors, in a media release.

Built in the 1900s, the character home was formerly the rectory for St. Luke's Church, with its stained-glass windows still intact. The walls are adorned with artwork created by women and gender-diverse people who were incarcerated.

"It's sort of a reflection of where people came from and to where they are now," said Martin.

The space offers a blend of community living, with a large eat-in kitchen where people can cook together, and a backyard space, while residents still have privacy in their own rooms.

It is important for the units to be low-barrier, meaning people don't have to jump through hoops to be housed or meet strict criteria, Martin explained.

Residents have access to support from a reintegration worker along with the systems navigator circle of care to support their needs, from managing daily tasks, appointments, mental health and family care. They also receive assistance applying for permanent housing when they're ready for it. 

"We just want to ensure that we're moving folks on in a really healthy way and not having them return to unhealthy patterns and unhealthy situations and unhealthy buildings," said Martin.