Chatham-Kent’s 50 transitional cabins officially open to address homelessness crisis

Chatham-Kent has introduced tiny cabins in an effort to combat homelessness in the municipality. CTV Windsor’s Chris Campbell reports.

50 new transitional cabins in Chatham-Kent, Ont. are now officially operational, part of the municipality’s response to what officials describe as a growing homelessness crisis.

The cabin project, now known as Pathways on Park, comes weeks after a large homeless encampment was moved and relocated mainly to municipal utilities property, putting a spotlight on the issue. Officials said not everyone from the encampment will be able to move into the new units, but efforts are underway to connect as many people as possible.

“We have around 40 individuals right now that are currently housed at the transitional, temporary shelters here. I think that we have room for 10 more,” said Chatham-Kent councillor Anthony Ceccacci.

“I know that the staffing is going to be doing some outreach to try to get some of the people who are now currently unhoused, and who weren’t in a shelter base off the living in the rough and into this program.”

Ceccacci said wraparound supports are central to the program.

“It’s very important to understand though that this program does require participation,” he said.

“So, there is wraparound services that you have to participate in. Because the goal of this program is to get you off your feet into sustainable and suitable housing.”

He said small and rural municipalities also need more help from upper levels of government.

“Even small communities and rural communities like Chatham-Kent need significantly more help from a funding perspective, not just for housing, but the actual supports to deal with mental health and drug addiction,” he added.

Mayor Darrin Canniff said the cabins reflect how quickly the issue has evolved in the community.

“Back five years ago, we wouldn’t even be having this discussion. In Chatham-Kent, homelessness was there, but it really wasn’t noticeable,” said Canniff.

“Now it’s very much so. We have nearly 250 homeless individuals in Chatham-Kent.”

Canniff said the cabins were designed after consulting with other municipalities that have tried similar projects.

“We’ve got the best of the best with these cabins, and it will make a difference for the homeless individuals,” he said.

“And we hope to pull some people from the encampment … because of just the flexibility, the dignity that it provides to individuals.”

Unlike some housing models, sobriety is not a requirement to live in the cabins. Canniff said it’s important to meet people where they are.

“That’s a big debate point about sobriety, and a lot of the leading edge discussions are pointing to you have to accept that individuals, do have those issues and that to help them, you’re going to have to help them through that and to turn our backs completely on someone because they’re using whatever, that’s not going to help them get better,” Canniff said.

“So, we need to recognize that as part of the treatment, as part of helping them get back into housing and to deal with those issues.”

He added that the site has room to expand.

“If those are fully utilized and there’s a waiting list, the opportunity to add more, we have land there … so if we need another 10 or 20, we certainly, as a municipality, as a council, will look at doing that.”

Residents moving in said the cabins are already a step up from previous housing options.

“It’s not bad. It’s definitely a lot better than the Victoria Park place,” said Patrick, who was previously homeless.

“We can come and go as we please and we don’t have to worry about people just looking in through your window … it’s definitely better than sleeping under the bridge.”

Advocates said the cabins offer more than just shelter.

“They certainly provide another alternative. And let’s be honest, we have to do something different. We know what we’ve been doing is not working,” said Loree Bailey, general manager at Chatham Hope Haven.

“Yes, people are in tiny cabins, but it’s different. They’re paying rent … they are having intensive case management, which they have not had historically offered through the municipality.”

Bailey said the purpose is to help people transition successfully to permanent housing.

The project is also drawing attention from Windsor, where councillor Renaldo Agostino said he is curious to see how it works.

“Certainly anything that we can do to create more supports for people that need them, I’m all for it,” said Agostino.

“I don’t know if it’s going to work. I don’t think anybody knows for sure.”

He said Windsor will be watching closely, telling CTV News he plans to tour the cabins in Chatham on Thursday.

“I hear it’s pretty much full already, so I can’t wait to see it.”