$3.8M plan to buy, install 50 cabins for new homeless project up for approval

With the impending decommissioning of the current homeless shelter, Chatham-Kent council will consider a staff recommendation to spend $3.8 million to buy and install 50 cabins on a site in southeast Chatham.

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Staff are recommending a $2.3-million request for proposal from NOW Housing for the supply and installation of 50 cabins, a community building, washroom pavilion, security cabin and utility cabin, according to an agenda report.

The total capital costs for the project of $3.8 million, which include the estimated pre-site development work, cabin procurement and installation costs, would be funded through the issuance of a 15-year internal debenture, with the final debenture amount determined post-completion and factoring in any senior government funding received.

In April, the council voted to pursue the development of a transitional cabin program on municipally owned properties at 378, 390 and 392 Park St. in Chatham.

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The cabins would replace the Victoria Park Place shelter, located on Murray Street. The lease on that property expires in May 2025.

In July, council authorized administration to use $440,000 received from the province’s Building Faster Fund for capital expenses related to the cabin project.

Housing services staff would operate the site, providing 24/7 case management staffing that focuses on securing community housing, life skills training and community referrals.

“Housing services has contacted neighbors on Hyslop Street and those adjacent to this Park Street property to offer and conduct in-person meetings to discuss more about the program operations and to hear suggestions on how the municipality can best support
the neighborhood,” the report stated.

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The project would consist of two phases:

Phase 1: Pre-site development work

• This phase includes engineering services to provide servicing specifications and procurement to complete the site servicing works, such as grading and site services.
• Engineering works are underway.
• These works will be funded from the $500,000, approved in April 8, however additional funding will be required to support these services.

Phase 2: Procurement of structures

• This phase involves the procurement of services to supply the proposed structures.
• Entails the installation of these structures at the site, accounting for the fabrication time required to implement this program.
• The proposed work is planned to begin this fall and be completed by the end of April 2025.

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“These distinct procurement approaches ensure that the project is managed efficiently, with site servicing and structure installations being handled in parallel to meet the project timeline and objectives,” the report said.

Following the April council meeting, a Let’s Talk Chatham-Kent page was launched to provide information to the public on the housing and homelessness crisis and the municipality’s next steps.

Further details, along with ongoing updates, on the cabin project can be found at: https://www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/transitional-housing-project

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