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The District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board says its Northern Pines campus, located at 590 Chippewa St. West will be set up as a temporary cold weather program for the 2024-2025 winter season for anyone who needs a warm place and support services.
The program is anticipated to open no later than November 1, and once opened, the site will operate 24 hours per day, seven days a week.
According to a news release, establishing the temporary cold weather program is the first step in the DNSSAB plans to address the recommendations from the recent Homelessness System Review and Feasibility Study.
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DNSSAB says the experienced staff from Crisis Centre North Bay will operate the temporary cold weather program, and provide housing supports, meals and security. These services will be in addition to the existing overnight shelter services offered at the site. North Bay Regional Health Centre provides psychiatric support onsite. Community paramedics will also be on site regularly to help those with healthcare needs.
After researching possible locations, the DNSSAB approved the Northern Pines location as a temporary cold weather program. Factors influencing the decision include the use of the site as a cold weather program in the past, ease of access to the site and the availability of support services.
“There are many people in our community who sadly do not have a place to call home. They will benefit from this program and the services we’ll be able to offer,” said Mark King, Chair of the DNSSAB Board. “We know that addressing homelessness takes all of us working together. We are pleased to partner with Crisis Centre North Bay, the Regional Health Centre and our community paramedics. We will continue to reach out to other community agencies to make as many services as possible available at the site.”
PODCAST: King on homeless hub, warming centre and Chippewa
Given the site’s proximity to Chippewa Secondary School, the DNSSAB and Crisis Centre North Bay say they have already consulted with school administration, the Near North District School Board and the school advisory council. The DNSSAB is committed to keeping the lines of communication open and will continue to work closely with the school community to answer questions and proactively respond to any concerns.
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As a next step to addressing homelessness and the homelessness report recommendations, the DNSSAB, in partnership with the City of North Bay, Crisis Centre North Bay and other community partners, is actively searching for a location for a permanent integrated shelter and housing hub and planning what services might be made available through the hub. The overall purpose of the hub would be to offer immediate support, shelter and food while helping individuals experiencing homelessness to find stable housing.
The DNSSAB will hold a special board meeting on July 24 at noon, to gather input from the community. Requests for delegations must be made to the recording secretary by July 10. Alternatively, concerns can be sent as written submissions by email to the recording secretary at [email protected] for consideration at the meeting. The Board will share more information about the proposed homelessness hub as plans are further developed.
Visit the DNSSAB’s website to learn more about the cold weather program, the goals for and the process to establish a homelessness hub and other services provided.
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