August 1, 2019
THUNDER BAY – Public opinion of a controversial proposed transitional housing project that would be located on Junot Avenue has seemingly swung in favour of support after the third public meeting was held on Tuesday.
Roughly one month after 200 residents filled the Boys and Girls Clubs of Thunder Bay gymnasium to voice their opposition of the project that would house homeless Indigenous individuals between the ages of 18 and 29 and have wraparound services provided by the Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre, a community event hosted by the Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services and partners of the housing project garnered overwhelming support in the other direction.
At the same Windsor Street location, community members listened to an information session, viewed video examples of success stories in other communities around the province, and ultimately spoke of the benefits and voiced their support of the project.
“I am ecstatic,” said Charlene Baglien executive director of Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre. “I feel like this project is going to go forward. I feel like we have the support of the community. I feel like we have the support of the city.”
