THUNDER BAY -- An increased local vacancy rate is making elbow room for those seeking social housing.
The vacancy rate was at a scant one per cent a year ago but the new 100-occupant residence on Confederation College's campus among other local changes has contributed to the rate increasing to four per cent.
Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board CEO said that has changed attitudes among local landlords who were reluctant to enter into rent supplement agreements with the DSSAB when the vacancy rate was low. Bradica said a softening in the housing market has allowed DSSAB to move 135 people into housing and off of its waiting list.
“Landlords were looking to pull out of the program but it has turned back around, we’re assuming because of the vacancy rate and they’re willing to enter into those agreements with us,” he said.
“They’d have some security in knowing that component of the payment is forthcoming.”
Despite the bite the housing market fluctuation has taken out of DSSAB's waiting list, waiting times have not been impacted. Most clients are waiting a year for some form of housing where the priority list of those looking to escape violent domestic situations remains at around three months.
Many of those waiting, Bradica pointed out, are currently designated among the rising population of the city’s homeless. The DSSAB’s figures reflect January’s Point In Time Count numbers on homelessness, suggesting homlessness impacts about 200 local people.
Absolutely homeless people awaiting housing comprises five per cent of DSSAB’s waiting list compared to 12 per cent who are living in temporary situations and another four per cent who are living with family.
“The usage of emergency shelters has increased, even though the housing list is down,” Bradica said, vowing to concentrate the DSSAB’s efforts on combatting homelessness as its next priority.
“We believe there are a core number of individuals who probably utilize half the bed nights in the two shelters in Thunder Bay.”
There are promising changes coming that could make a dent in the homeless population and take pressure off of emergency shelters. The construction of 16 new housing units the DSSAB will manage are nearing completion. Bradica hopes to begin construction on more units this summer.
