THUNDER BAY – Public input on how to best respond to homelessness is being sought by the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board.
A survey is open now online and through the DSSAB's social media.
The anonymous survey includes questions on where supports for homeless people should be located and who should be prioritized when it comes to accessing public housing.
Much of the public conversation around homelessness has been focused on Thunder Bay, where homelessness is most visible, but the DSSAB hopes to hear from residents elsewhere in the district as well, said Arron Park, manager of housing and homelessness programs.
The homelessness emergency also affects many smaller communities in the region, Park said in an interview with Newswatch.
“Outside of the city of Thunder Bay, (homelessness) is much more hidden,” Park said.
“We don't really have emergency shelters outside of the city of Thunder Bay, so we do have agreements with service providers and the OPP to assist individuals for short-term motel stays in the district, but it's much more hidden than what we see here,” Park said.
He said the DSSAB hired OrgCode Consulting to help the DSSAB develop a district-wide strategy around issues of homelessness. In addition to surveying the general public, the group met with stakeholders and homeless individuals living unsheltered in the district to try to get opinions on potential programming.
Outside the city, people are sheltering in old sheds or campers hidden in the bush, hidden away from the public eye. Often, they are couch surfing at friends' or family members ' or sleeping in their car, Park explained.
With the survey, the DSSAB is trying to find the best ways to approach homelessness over the next 10 years.
“Previously, we had a 10-year housing and homelessness plan. We're in the stages of developing our next 10-year plan, so this section will help to fill in how we move forward in the next 10 years as an organization. So, how do we prioritize funding and program development and system response to homelessness? This community survey, we're hoping to get that feedback,” Park said.
Park said the survey closes on Friday Aug. 8.
- With files from Leigh Nunan
