As the colder weather approaches, nine additional beds are being added at the low barrier shelter on Chippewa Street, bringing the total to 21.
These new beds are in addition to the 12 beds that have been available since August.
A third portable is being renovated to provide the extra space at the site. Provided there are no delays, new beds will be ready for occupancy within a week says a news release from the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB).
“From a construction and re-purposing perspective, this has been happening very quickly,” says Chair, Mark King, “even though it was hoped the extra spaces would be available tomorrow.”
There are other shelter spaces available in the community for those needing a warm place to stay, including the Crisis Centre of North Bay, as well as four additional district shelters for women fleeing domestic violence says the release.
A new 16 unit transitional housing project is currently under construction at 590 Chippewa Street.
Low barrier housing is where a minimum number of expectations are placed on people who wish to live there.
The aim is to have as few barriers as possible to allow more people access to services. In housing, this often means that tenants are not expected to abstain from using alcohol or other drugs, or from carrying on with street activities while living on-site, so long as they do not engage in these activities in common areas of the house and are respectful of other tenants and staff.
Low-barrier facilities follow a harm reduction philosophy.