Media Release:  TBDSSAB launches new Transitional Housing application process

July 14, 2026 – The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB) has launched a new Transitional Housing application process.

Transitional housing is considered an intermediate step between emergency shelter and permanent housing and has occupancy length limits. It is intended to offer a supportive living environment for its residents, including offering them structure, supervision, support and life skills to become more independent. There are various situations where independent permanent housing may not be ideal, and transitional housing can help an individual realize their autonomy and engage support networks.

Since 2023, TBDSSAB has received funding through the province’s Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) that can be used toward capital and operating costs for transitional housing. TBDSSAB has made capital investments to support the creation of over 330 transitional-long-term supportive housing spaces since 2019 through provincial and joint federal-provincial funding streams. Of that total, 220 are currently open.

As the number of transitional housing units has expanded and a broader range of service providers have become involved, TBDSSAB has collaborated with service partners to develop a new Transitional Housing application process.

Previously, individuals accessed transitional housing by applying through individual service providers according to their own intake processes; in many cases, that individual would need to be a client of that organization to be eligible.

Through TBDSSAB’s new application process, one application is submitted to TBDSSAB and triaged to the participating transitional housing providers. Support workers at TBDSSAB or participating organizations can assist individuals experiencing homelessness to complete a Transitional Housing application to access spaces reserved for the centralized application process. Organizations continue to operate their own intake pathways to offer units to their clients per their service delivery mandates, while also increasing access to transitional housing spaces to others.

Currently, the transitional housing providers participating in this initiative includes the Elizabeth Fry Society of Northwestern Ontario, Urban Abbey, John Howard Society of Thunder Bay and District, Matawa Nonprofit Housing, PACE, and St. Joseph’s Care Group. This represents approximately 145 transitional housing units that were previously only accessible by applying to individual programs. Additionally, once operational, the Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre and the Métis Nation of Ontario plan to include the 59-unit youth transitional housing program on Junot Avenue.

This new process will help make access to transitional housing simpler and more streamlined.

Quotes:

“The new Transitional Housing application process and waitlist are a way of keeping that door open for someone who would benefit from the extra supports before living on their own. I’m grateful to our community partners for working with us to put this process in place.”
– Crystal Simeoni, Director – Integrated Social Services, TBDSSAB

Quick facts:

  • 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. Through HPP, TBDSSAB funds multiple homelessness prevention initiatives, including supportive housing, community outreach and support services, housing assistance and emergency shelter solutions.
  • Though TBDSSAB has made capital investments via HPP to build transitional housing spaces, the supports included as part of transitional housing are delivered by service providers regulated and funded by the Ministry of Health.