District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB) officials say Northern Pines on Chippewa Street will be set up as a temporary cold weather program this coming winter, for anyone needing a warm place and support services.
They add Crisis Centre North Bay staff will operate the temporary program, and provide housing supports, meals and security.
The service is in addition to the existing overnight shelter services offered at the site.
“There are many people in our community who sadly do not have a place to call home. They will benefit from this program and the services we’ll be able to offer,” says Mark King, Chair of the DNSSAB Board. “We know that addressing homelessness takes all of us working together. We are pleased to partner with Crisis Centre North Bay, the Regional Health Centre and our community paramedics. We will continue to reach out to other community agencies to make as many services as possible available at the site.”
The program’s expected to open November first at the latest, and will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
King says benefits of running the program at Northern Pines include the fact ‘phase three’ is vacant.
“There’s an opportunity to save a little bit of money,” he says. “At the same time with the hospital support now in the old section of the OPP building, it provides an opportunity for people that are struggling to receive services directly at that location.”
King says not everyone is happy about the decision though.
“It revolved around parents of students at Chippewa,” he says. “There was an email campaign that took place [recently] asking the board to reconsider that particular location.”
Because of the location of the temporary warming centre, officials say Chippewa Secondary School administration, the Near North School Board and the school advisory council have all been contacted, and DNSSAB is committed to keeping that communication open.
DNSSAB says they continue to look for a location for a permanent integrated shelter and housing hub, and planning what services may be made available through it. Officials say the overall purpose would be to offer immediate support, shelter and food, while helping to find stable housing.
“On July 24 we will be having a special DNSSAB board meeting and we will be inviting input from community partners,” King says. “I know right now that [Downtown North Bay] will more than likely be making a presentation to our board.”
He also says the North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce has shown interest in making a presentation.
Requests for delegations must be made to the recording secretary by July 10, 2024.
Alternatively, concerns can be sent as written submissions by email to the recording secretary at [email protected] for consideration at the meeting.
The Board will share more information about the proposed homelessness hub as plans are further developed.
**With files from Richard Coffin
