Transitional Housing Expands as Low-Barrier Shelter Services Are Maintained

The District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB) is providing an update on homelessness services in the District, highlighting new transitional housing capacity and the continuation of essential shelter services.

Later this spring, Northern Pines Phase 3 will convert to transitional housing, creating 24 transitional housing units for the community. Transitional housing provides individuals with greater stability through individual living spaces and lease-based arrangements, supporting a pathway toward longer-term housing for individuals who are ready to move beyond emergency shelter. At the same time, Low-Barrier Shelter services will be delivered from temporary portables located at the Northern Pines site, on a continuous 24/7 basis for 2026.

In earlier communication, DNSSAB had announced that from May 1 to November 1, 2026, the Low-Barrier Shelter would operate for 12 hours per day out of temporary portable units due to budget constraints and uncertainty around homelessness funding. Shelter services are operated by Crisis Centre North Bay, which delivers high-quality front‑line supports to individuals experiencing homelessness. Individuals accessing shelter services also have access to coordinated on-site supports, including Community Paramedicine Program services.

These integrated services help address immediate needs, connect individuals to ongoing supports, and contribute to greater stability for those accessing the shelter. DNSSAB notes that these measures are temporary for 2026, highlighting the need for long‑term, sustainable funding solutions. DNSSAB has not yet received its 2026–2027 Homelessness Prevention Program allocation, while pressures on homelessness services continue to increase across the District.

The 2025 Point-in-Time Count found at least 452 people were experiencing homelessness, which included 153 people who were unsheltered at the time of the Count. Funding uncertainty has limited DNSSAB’s ability to plan beyond the immediate term and has contributed to ongoing operational strain. Without a significant and stable increase in funding, DNSSAB cautions that the same challenges experienced this year, or more severe pressures, are likely to persist in future years.

DNSSAB is grateful for the support of Housing Infrastructure and Communities Canada and to Nipissing District’s Community Advisory Board for their input and support in finding solutions. “Maintaining continuous shelter operations is critical to ensuring people have a safe place to go, day and night,” said Mark King, DNSSAB Board Chair. “DNSSAB is currently pulling together short-term funding to keep these services in place, but this is not a sustainable model. Stable, long-term investment from both the provincial and federal governments is needed to ensure homelessness services can continue to meet the growing needs of our District.”

“Expanding the Low-Barrier Shelter to 24 hours a day and opening more staff-supported transitional housing units means more people have a real and viable pathway to stability and housing,” said Sue Rinneard, Crisis Centre North Bay Executive Director. “We are encouraged by this opportunity to provide more safe spaces for people to recover and rebuild.”

DNSSAB continues to advocate to the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada for stable, long-term funding to support homelessness services and emergency shelter operations, with support from District municipalities and community partners. “While these measures help address immediate needs, they are a temporary solution to a much larger, systemic issue. Stable funding is essential if we are to move beyond crisis response and make lasting progress on homelessness in our communities,” said King. DNSSAB notes that community impacts around Northern Pines have stabilized, reflecting the effectiveness of ongoing service coordination, on-site supports, and community collaboration at the site. DNSSAB remains committed to working with service providers, municipalities, community partners, and residents to balance the needs of individuals accessing shelter services with the broader community, while continuing to advocate for the resources required to address homelessness in a meaningful and sustainable way.

For more information about homelessness services in the District of Nipissing, visit dnssab.ca/housing-services/homelessness.