Public intoxication among homeless and under-housed individuals in Thunder Bay has emerged as a major community issue.
The issue is coming before city council Monday night, and city staff say helping out the Shelter House with a housing project will reduce the demand for enforcement and emergency medical related services.
A recommendation is coming to council to approve $270,000 for renovations to accommodate the Shelter House Provisional Housing Project and Alcohol Management Program.
Nearly half of Thunder Bay's total arrests are related to alcohol use.
Officials with the Thunder Bay Police Service say incarcerating individuals under the influence costs more than $1 million in annual police wages alone.
Council will also issue letters of concurrance to Bell Mobility for two new communications towers in the City.
However, a controversial tower planned in the John Street Road area will not be dealt with.
The City is waiting for Bell to hold another public meeting before debating the matter again.
One of the final progress reports on Prince Arthur's Landing will also come forward.
Phase 1 of the project will wrap up at the end of this month, with a total price of close to $60- million.
