The North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce (NBDCC) published the findings of a survey opened in June that explores the impact of homelessness, crime, addictions, and mental health challenges on local businesses and organizations.
See related: Survey on business impacts of homelessness, crime, addictions and mental health
The full survey report, detailing the insights and recommendations from businesses across North Bay, is available for public viewing on the North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce website. To access the complete findings, visit nbdcc.ca/advocacy.
With input from 100 respondents across various sectors, the survey highlights the pressing concerns within our community and identifies critical areas that require immediate attention and action.
Seven main points of focus emerged from the survey responses:
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Inadequate housing and institutional support
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Coordinated and comprehensive services
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Insufficient funding and resources
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Law enforcement and legal reforms
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Enhanced community safety measures
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Public health and harm reduction
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Outreach and job opportunities
"The findings underscore significant gaps in housing, institutional support, and service coordination to address homelessness, mental health, and addiction issues," the report reads. "As we've seen with our own eyes and heard directly from individuals who are new to North Bay and immediately seeking shelter, there is a clear and urgent need for more affordable and accessible housing options, including low-income rental units and temporary shelters. Additionally, the reopening or construction of mental health institutions is essential to support vulnerable populations effectively.
"To tackle these challenges effectively, a coordinated and comprehensive approach is required. This includes establishing integrated service hubs that combine housing, mental health care, addiction treatment, and social services, ideally located away from downtown areas and Lakeshore to minimize their impact on businesses. Collaboration across governmental, nonprofit, and private sectors is crucial for creating a robust support system. Moreover, increased funding is needed for mental health and addiction services, frontline social service providers, and sustainable shelter options, with a focus on long-term rather than short-term interventions."
The survey also reveals a resounding call from the business community for a service hub, where essential services are located within one specific building or space. Participants note this would streamline access to much-needed resources, provide individuals with a more direct pathway to support, and should not necessarily be located in the downtown core.
“Our business community are empathetic and compassionate for the vulnerable and many times act as front-line support in dealing with complex situations,” says Donna Backer, NBDCC President & CEO. “It’s clear that local businesses are calling all levels of government for more action, accountability, and much-needed changes including comprehensive coordination, increased resources, legislative reforms and streamlined services to better support all involved.”
The North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce plans to use these findings to advocate for improved policies, funding, and services that will support both businesses and the community at large. Further discussions with local government, service providers, and community organizations will be initiated to explore the next steps in addressing these urgent concerns.
