Supporting People, Rebuilding Lives: Strengthening Homelessness Services in Thunder Bay
As Thunder Bay continues its recovery from the far-reaching effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the lasting impacts on housing stability and homelessness are still being felt across the community. The pandemic not only deepened existing inequalities but also pushed many vulnerable individuals into housing precarity, making the need for safe, stable housing more urgent than ever. It remains clear that housing is more than a basic need—it’s the foundation for health, dignity, and long-term wellbeing. Yet for hundreds in our city, homelessness is still a daily reality.
To help address this ongoing challenge, additional funding is being directed toward local initiatives that support individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness. An extra one million dollars is now being invested in Thunder Bay through the Government of Canada’s Reaching Home funding stream. These funds support a range of initiatives that tackle both immediate needs and systemic barriers—from transitional housing options to mental health and addiction services.
At the core of these efforts is the Lakehead Social Planning Council, which serves as the Designated Community Entity for Reaching Home funding. The Council works in close partnership with the Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre—the Indigenous Community Entity—as well as other community organizations. Together, these partners are focused on ensuring people have the resources they need to transition out of homelessness, with a strong emphasis on supporting those living in encampments.
Encampments have become a central focus in Thunder Bay’s homelessness response. For many, they are the only refuge amid a lack of accessible services and persistent structural barriers such as poverty, racism, trauma, and inadequate care. Supporting individuals in encampments means more than providing temporary shelter—it requires a commitment to meeting people where they are, fostering trust, and delivering comprehensive services that lead to permanent housing solutions.
According to the 2024 Point-in-Time Count, 557 people in Thunder Bay are currently experiencing homelessness. This figure is more than a statistic—it’s a call to action, underscoring the need for coordinated, compassionate, and sustained responses.
As we move forward from the pandemic and toward recovery, we believe that with continued investment and strong collaboration, it is possible to build a community where everyone has a place to call home. The work is far from over, but together, we can forge pathways to safety, stability, and hope for all.
