Proposed Homeless Hub to be located Downtown

Report North Bay Exclusive

The DIA is strongly oppressed to the homeless hub being located downtown and the magnet effect it will have on local downtown businesses potential closing.

Report North Bay reached out to Mayor Chirico and the chair of DNSSAB Councilor Mark King for comment on the DIA's concerns and if they would support the hub being located in the downtown core.

The questions posed by Report North Bay through email were: 1) Were Mayor Chirico and the chair Councilor Mark King aware that the DIA and the City’s economic development department were not asked for input in this report according to the DIA? 2) What steps (if any) will be taken to meet with the DIA? 3) Will the Board ask for input from the DIA and the City’s economic development department? 4) Do you support the hub being moved into the downtown core?

Mayor Chirico has not responded as of yet to our questions. Councilor Mark King was gracious and provided a timely response to our questions which was appreciated.

Councilor Mark King

"The location of a homelessness hub and/or a winter space has been something the Board has actively been working on. Because the decision on a location could involve the acquisition/leasing of property, the matter is being considered in-camera. So, the details on deliberations on a location cannot be shared. "Stated Chair of DNSSAB and City Councilor Mark King " The Board will consider the matter on June 24. Board members and staff have heard from several community members on this topic. Two meetings have recently occurred with the DIA on homelessness matters, and the location of the hub has played prominently into these discussions."

DNSSAB

DNSSAB provided Report North Bay a link for our readers to read the Homeless Report: https://pub-dnssab.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=483

The homelessness consultant who prepared the above report met with community partners on issues of homelessness, as they were tasked with reviewing existing models and providing best practices on a homeless hub.

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