The federal government has stepped up to help pay for Chatham-Kent’s tiny cabin homeless shelter.
As part of the government’s Affordable Housing Fund (AHF), the municipality will receive more than $3.7 million to go towards the Pathways on Park complex in south Chatham. According to a media release, the federal funding is supporting a portion of the costs for the existing cabins.
Mayor Darrin Canniff called the investment “a major step forward in addressing the urgent need for transitional housing in Chatham-Kent.
“The 50 new cabins at Pathways on Park are now providing secure, stable spaces for residents who need them most, while helping people take the next step toward permanent housing,” Canniff said in the release. “I want to thank the Government of Canada for their partnership and commitment to ensuring that every person in our community has a place to call home. Together, we’re building not just housing, but hope and opportunity for the future.”
South Kent Coun. Anthony Ceccacci also expressed gratitude for the funding.
“Homelessness and homelessness prevention have been a major focus of this term of council, and this project shows what can happen when a council and all levels of government work together toward real solutions,” he said. “Pathways on Park is already changing lives in our community, and this funding helps ensure that we can continue providing critical supports to people when they need them most. I would like to sincerely thank everyone involved in the project for making this vision a reality.”
Each of the 50 modular cabins offer a private sleeping space, with shared kitchens, bathrooms, and common areas located in the community building. The site is staffed 24/7 to help residents transition to permanent housing and connect them with key services.
