Efforts are underway to open an emergency shelter for the homeless at the North Bay YMCA as early as Wednesday.

The shelter will be in the main gym where there’s close access to showers and washrooms.

The District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board, Nipissing Mental Health Housing and Support Services , the City of North Bay and the Nipissing District Housing Corporation are all working together on the project.

CEO of Nipissing Mental Health Housing and Support Services Mary Davis says they needed a bigger space during this challenging time.

“Anywhere from 20-35 people. We started working on a bigger facility and we’re very fortunate we’ve partnered with the North Bay YMCA,” She says.

They say they have enough space for 40 people including staff and there will be four staff and one security person on hand at all times 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week.

As well, protocols will be put in place including social distancing, hygiene and isolation with isolation rooms avalable for suspected COVID-19 cases.

“We’ll be utilizing the squash courts at the Y if we suspect someone is infected with COVID-19,”Davis says.

She says the partnerships formed through the Mayor’s Roundtable have made this happen pretty quickly.

(photo by station staff)

Filed under: homeless-shelter, north-bay-ymca