A recent point-in-time count report was delivered a couple weeks back by the Thompson Neighborhood Renewal Corporation.

On City Beat last Thursday, Mayor Colleen Smook said the results speak to the growing problem of homelessness in and around Thompson.

Here she talks about steps needed to help address the situation.

“We need to have more affordable housing here, in the surrounding communities, First Nations and others, and then more treatment options for addictions and mental health issues. More employment opportunities, more investment in the outlying communities for people that do want to stay and live there or even in Thompson.”

Smook added the city is working on collaborations with indigenous organizations such as the Ma Mow We Tak Friendship Centre and the Keewatin Tribal Council to make more housing available in Thompson.

The anticipated opening of the Friendship Centre’s new Seniors and Elders residence is in May.

Meanwhile, clearing of the site for KTC’s Pusiko Development began last fall.   One component of the development is more housing, including around 384 housing units.