Ontario Building More Supportive and Emergency Housing in Thunder Bay
- Apr 24
- 3 min read
Provincial funding will revitalize community arena to attract more sporting events and help residents stay active
News Release | April 23rd, 2026
THUNDER BAY — The Ontario government is helping to build 66 supportive homes and 120 emergency shelter spaces in Thunder Bay. The $10.7 million investment will support five projects through the Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP), a provincially funded program to prevent and reduce homelessness.
“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," said Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. "A key part of our plan to protect Ontario is giving vulnerable people the support they need to secure safe, stable housing.”
The following projects are receiving funding through HPP:
Adanac Hotel (227-231 Simpson Street) – $3,786,000 to help create 46 transitional supportive housing units.
Teen Challenge Men’s Program (107 Johnson Avenue) – $1,202,124 to help create seven transitional supportive housing units.
PACE Transitional (409 George Street) – $1,900,000 to help create 13 transitional supportive housing units.
Grace Place Expansion (235 Simpson Street) – $1,050,000 to help create 40 additional emergency shelter spaces in an existing emergency shelter.
Temporary Shelter Village Initiative (879 Alloy Place) – $2,768,623 to help create 80 modular emergency shelter spaces.
“Today’s investments are an important step forward in addressing homelessness in Thunder Bay and across Northwestern Ontario,” said Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay – Atikokan. “By supporting projects that create both emergency shelter spaces and transitional housing, we are helping ensure individuals have access to safe, stable environments as they work toward long-term independence.”
The Ontario government has allocated over $1.7 billion to support vulnerable people with short- and long-term housing solutions in 2025-2026.
Quick facts
In 2025-26, $654 million was allocated through the HPP to support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness across Ontario.
Service managers, such as the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board, have the flexibility to use HPP funding for programs and services that address and prevent homelessness in their communities, such as rent supplements, homeless shelters and supportive housing including capital projects.
Emergency shelter spaces were made possible through the $20 million Encampment Response Initiative under the HPP, which helps provide vulnerable people with appropriate short- and long-term housing alternatives.
Quotes
“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, District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board
“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
“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, Head of Staff, Urban Abbey
“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 funding announced today will strengthen safety, stability, and opportunity for members of our community. While more work lies ahead, it demonstrates how collaboration between the province, the city, and our local partners can lead to real progress.”
– Ken Boshcoff, Mayor of Thunder Bay
Additional Resources
Learn more about supportive housing in Ontario and find your local service manager to see what housing supports are available in your community.
