Meeting on Tuesday evening, city council in Timmins approved the use of city-owned land on Pine Street South for an encampment response initiative in partnership with the Cochrane District Services Board.
The goal is to set up temporary housing units on the property and close homeless encampments in areas near downtown. The city will now work on a deal with the services board for the lease or sale of the property.
“Final approval of the lease or sale will be confirmed once city council is satisfied that an appropriate service plan is in place to support the HOPE (Housing, Outreach, Protection, and Engagement) initiative,” the city said in a news release Wednesday.
“The project would see modular units, similar to what is used in mining for remote camps, used to create up to 40 temporary shelter spaces.”
The goal of the initiative is to offer safe housing for homeless residents, while allowing the city to clear makeshift encampments.
Community consultation
Funding for the project was received in late January from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
Community consultation on the proposal found residents wanted the site far away from residential areas, with Pine Street receiving 33.61 per cent of the vote from the 3,400 residents who participated.
“Neighbourhood impact was a key concern for over 48 per cent of respondents, who worried about safety, property values, and overall neighbourhood well-being,” the city said.
Mayor Michelle Boileau said community consultation was “crucial” in city council’s decision.
“The challenge is balancing community concerns with practical service delivery, including how the city maintains safe public parks and playgrounds,” Boileau is quoted as saying in the release.
“We have an opportunity to work with the province to help address encampments in a way that prioritizes safety. Safety for individuals requiring temporary shelter, and safety for community members who have felt that their access to public spaces has been impeded.”
City staff will work with the services board to ensure municipal services, including public transportation, waste management and sanitation, are available if required.
More information on the plan is available here.
