Review calls for homeless hub in North Bay
A review of the homelessness system in the District of Nipissing recommends North Bay have an integrated low-barrier shelter and homeless hub.
The Homelessness System Review Feasibility Study was commissioned by the local social services board last fall to coincide with the housing needs and supply study.
But the chair of the board, Mark King, is not a fan of the idea.
“We’ve already done that at Northern Pines,” King said.
“We’ve probably invested about $14 million into that particular project.”
A new feasibility study focusing on helping individuals obtain permanent housing reviewed the current system to identify gaps, cultural equity, barriers.
“There was a gentleman sleeping in the doorway this morning when I got here,” said Kevin Chalmers, who has struggled with homelessness.
The consultant recommends developing a 24/7 business model for homelessness services, including an integrated low barrier shelter and homeless hub.
The report said this type of model aligns with the district’s goal of ending chronic homelessness – while at the same time provide pathways to services like emergency shelters, warming sites, food security and outreach services.
“I could see a certain portion of the recommendation from the consultant with respect to the hub as an information centre,” King said.
“I wouldn’t want to go further than that.”
“I stayed at the low barrier last year and there is a long tedious operation just to get in to get a bed,” Chalmers added.
The board is exploring the costs and resources required for planning, implementation, and operation, as well as recommendations on how to secure funding for operations should it want to further explore this option.
“One of the things I think was important in the recommendations was to actually realize the importance of outreach… providing people with information and trying to help them find the supports they need,” King said.
The board said the report will be used to shape the next 10-year housing and homelessness plan for the district.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
U.S. paused bomb shipment to Israel to signal concerns over Rafah invasion, official says
The U.S. paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah against the wishes of the U.S.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.