The village opened at 879 Alloy Place and contains 80 prefabricated sleeping cabins plus shared buildings that house a kitchen, washrooms, laundry facilities and a security office. It was built by ModBox Modular and forms the first phase of the city’s 10‑part Enhanced Encampment Response plan.

“The units are climate controlled, they have locking doors, they are suitable for double occupancy or single occupancy,” said Rilee Willianen, the city’s supervisor of encampment response. Each cabin can be adapted for residents’ needs, includes a bed, desk and storage, and features a LifeguardLite panel that lets residents request help while using drugs and also detects smoke.

Residents must join a support plan and can remain for up to four years. Eligibility is assessed with the Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (SPDAT), which social‑service agencies use to rank need.

The province contributed $2.8 million to the project, reducing the city’s original $5 million capital commitment. The village’s annual operating budget is $1.5 million.

Demetrakopoulos Enterprises Inc. operates the site with 14 staff members, including a program manager, supervisors and community support workers. “We have 24‑hour supervision and support … and we provide a daily breakfast,” said Anton Demetrakopoulos, executive director of Shelter Village Thunder Bay. On‑site services also cover laundry assistance, transportation, counseling, ID help and housing navigation.