Media Release: TBDSSAB announces capital projects with community partners
April 23, 2026 – The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB) is announcing capital investments in transitional housing and homelessness prevention.
Minister Rob Flack and MPP Kevin Holland made the announcement today in Thunder Bay, with representatives present from TBDSSAB and funded organizations.
These projects are funded through the province’s Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) and its one-time Encampment Response Initiative (ERI) funding to expand shelter capacity and create alternative emergency accommodation for people in encampments. The Province provides HPP funding annually to Ontario’s 47 municipal service managers for affordable housing and support services for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Five organizations have received capital funding from TBDSSAB through HPP or ERI funding. The combined total for all projects is $10.7 million and will add 66 transitional housing units and 120 shelter spaces to the local service system.
| Funded Organization | HPP | ERI |
| Urban Abbey to retrofit 46 transitional housing units in a purchased property on Simpson Street. | $3,786,000 | |
| PACE to retrofit 13 transitional housing units in a purchased property on George Street. | $1,900,000 | |
| Teen Challenge to retrofit 7 transitional housing units in a purchased property on Johnson Ave. | $1,202,124 | |
| City of Thunder Bay to create a temporary shelter village in Thunder Bay with 80 units. | $2,768,623 | |
| Grace Place to expand emergency shelter capacity for a total of 40 spaces in their existing location. | $50,000* | $1,000,000 |
| TOTAL | $6,938,124 | $3,768,623 |
*Funded via HPP Operating
For the 2025-26 fiscal year, TBDSSAB received $16.5M in Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) funding through the province. Through HPP, TBDSSAB funds multiple homelessness prevention initiatives, including supportive housing, community outreach and support services, housing assistance and emergency shelter solutions.
Including today’s announcement, TBDSSAB has made capital investments to support the creation of over 320 transitional-long-term and supportive housing spaces since 2019 through provincial and joint federal-provincial funding streams.
Quotes
“We are working with our municipal partners to get more emergency and supportive housing built across the province, including in Northern communities like Thunder Bay, to help prevent and alleviate homelessness. A key part of our plan to protect Ontario is giving vulnerable people the support they need to secure safe, stable housing.”
– Hon. Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
“The projects announced today aim to meet unhoused individuals where they are, at different points on their path toward stable housing. We are grateful to the Ontario government for trusting us with capital funding for projects like these, and to our community partners for stepping up to address the needs in our community.”
– Jim Vezina, Board Chair, TBDSSAB
“Urban Abbey is so thankful to receive the funding and support to create 46 transitional housing apartment units in the former historic Adanac Hotel. Without the critical support of the Ontario government and collaboration with the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board, such projects would not be possible. We look forward to offering these units to those who are on housing wait lists, in the shelter system, and to those who are in encampments.”
– Scotland Morrison, Urban Abbey
“PACE Management and our Board of Directors are very grateful for the funding that we have received, which has enabled us to retrofit the building that we acquired at 409 George Street. Our units will give people in recovery a place to live that they can be proud of while they transition into permanent housing. We are very proud to say that we have already housed 10 people who were living at Shelter House, Salvation Army, and the encampments.”
– Georgina McKinnon, Executive Director, PACE
“Through this investment, we are able to take a significant step forward in expanding addiction recovery services in Northwestern Ontario. This project will increase access to safe, structured support for individuals seeking freedom from addiction while also strengthening the network of care available to families and the broader community. We are seeing firsthand the growing need for accessible, long-term recovery options, and this funding allows us to respond with both urgency and purpose. We are grateful to the Ontario government and the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board for recognizing the importance of this work and for partnering with us to bring real, lasting change. This is about restoring lives, rebuilding families, and creating healthier communities for generations to come.”
– Daniel Emond, President and CEO Adult & Teen Challenge of Central Canada Inc.
“The Temporary Shelter Village is a modular bridge housing initiative designed to support people experiencing homelessness and reduce encampments in our community. This funding supports the City of Thunder Bay’s Enhanced Encampment Response Plan and will help create pathways out of homelessness, while enhancing community safety and well-being for all.”
– Rilee Willianen, Supervisor – Encampment Response, City of Thunder Bay
“Grace Place is grateful to the Ontario government and the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board for providing the funds to enable this project. The expansion has enabled us to provide more shelter spaces and much needed supports to those who need it the most.”
– Melody Macsemchuk, Grace Place
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