Northern Pines
Northern Pines
Northern Pines is a 60-unit transitional and supportive housing site located in North Bay. The site was developed in three phases that focus on life skills development. Northern Pines aims to prevent and reduce homelessness and can provide relief and support for residents with substance use and mental health challenges.
Transitional HousingStaff-supported housing focused on life skills development and long-term housing stability. |
24/7 Integrated Shelter and Housing SupportsA year-round service that includes overnight shelter, daytime programming, and connections to community supports. |
"During a recent visit, one occupant shared that Northern Pines had saved their life."
Sue Rinneard, Executive Director, Crisis Centre North Bay
Northern Pines Chronology
The chronology below highlights key milestones in the development and evolution of Northern Pines.
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| January 2020 North Bay's Mayor's Roundtable report recommends a transitional housing project with mental health and substance use supports; 590 Chippewa later selected as the site. |
August 2020 Low-Barrier Shelter moves to its current location at 590 Chippewa and begins overnight operations. |
November 2021 Northern Pines Phase 1 opens with 16 transitional housing units. |
Winter 22/23 CCNB awarded daytime programming contract. Temporary warming centre services operate from community locations during implementation. |
March 2023 Northern Pines Phase 2 opens with 20 transitional housing units. |
April 2024 Board approves the 24/7 integrated shelter model combining year-round daytime programming with overnight shelter services. Permanent locations continue to be explored. |
November 2024 Northern Pines Phase 3 capital work is completed, creating 24 additional transitional housing units. |
Winter 2024 24/7 integrated shelter and housing supports operate from Northern Pines 3 as a temporary solution while permanent locations continue to be explored. |
March 2025 Board approves expansion of Low-Barrier Shelter portables to create a temporary daytime programming space while permanent locations continue to be explored. |
November 2025 Northern Pines Phase 3 continues to house temporary 24/7 integrated shelter and housing supports, while portable expansion work continues. |
August 2026 Expanded shelter facilities open, providing 20 shelter beds and allowing Northern Pines Phase 3 to transition to its intended transitional housing use. |
Transitional Housing
Northern Pines Transitional Housing consists of 60 units developed across three phases that support residents with varying levels of need.
Phase 1
Phase 1 consists of 16 transitional housing units. This phase is designed for people who require moderate-level support.
Phase 2
Phase 2 consists of 20 self-contained supportive housing units. These units are for people who require low-level support.
Phase 3
Phase 3 consists of 24 transitional housing units. Phase 3 is designed for people who require high-level support.
Supporting Health and Well-Being
Northern Pines aims to prevent and reduce homelessness and can provide relief and support for residents with mental health and substance use challeneges, including through DNSSAB's Community Paramedicine Program. A dedicated Community Paramedic is available on-site and uses a trauma-informed approach with a mental health and substance use lens to support residents. Effective October 1, 2026, residents will also have access to on-site Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) services through the North Bay Regional Health Centre, further strengthening connections to specialized substance use care and treatment.
The service delivery model uses leading practices in this field such as Health Quality Standards for supportive housing and trauma-informed care.
Evidence-Based Approach
The program is designed to lessen situations of higher risk or harm. It is consistent with the City of North Bay's Community Safety and Well-Being Plan. Key benefits include reductions in hospital stays, emergency room visits, visits to community-based health providers, incarceration, and police contact.
The program at Northern Pines is also consistent with the findings of the Mental Health Commission of Canada's At Home / Chez Soi Report, which examined Housing First as a means of ending homelessness for people living with mental illness in Canada.
Local Leadership and Partnerships
The Northern Pines Program is operated by Crisis Centre North Bay.
The urgent need for this project was first identified by the City of North Bay Mayor’s Roundtable on Mental Health and Addictions Action Team in 2020, which brought forward a community-wide call to action for mental health, addictions, and homelessness. These recommendations were outlined in the report entitled Integrating Social Services and Mental Health and Addictions Services for Vulnerable Populations.
Why Northern Pines Matters
Nipissing faces one of the highest rates of homelessness in Ontario. Recent findings from the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario identified Nipissing as one of the areas with the highest rates of homelessness in the province. The 2025 Nipissing Point-in-Time Count of people experiencing homelessness identified at least 452 people experiencing homelessness during the count period.
24/7 Integrated Shelter and Housing Supports
The temporary 24/7 integrated shelter and housing supports site operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and provides a safe space for people experiencing homelessness to connect with services and navigational support. Services help people experiencing homelessness apply for suitable housing and get connected with mental and physical health services.
Why 24/7 Programs?
- A sense of stability and security is provided for people experiencing homelessness and reduces the stress of arranging overnight accommodations and travelling to access meals and support services.
- Integrating services can result in more efficient use of resources, potentially reducing operational costs and improving service delivery.
- Providing consistent integrated services is more challenging across two separate sites.
Working Toward a Permanent Location
DNSSAB, Crisis Centre North Bay, and the City of North Bay have been working together to find a permanent location for a 24/7 integrated shelter and housing supports site. While the search continues, a temporary 24/7 integrated shelter and housing supports site will continue at 590 Chippewa Street West, the site of the current shelter and Northern Pines housing.
Stories of Impact
The following examples highlight the positive impact of coordinated services, community partnerships, and housing supports available at Northern Pines.
Supporting Youth Safety
Earlier this summer, a young person arrived at Northern Pines seeking emergency shelter. During the intake process, a Resource Worker identified concerns for the individual's immediate safety and contacted the North Bay Police Service. Through this collaborative response, the youth was connected to a safe environment. Northern Pines learned that their early intervention played an important role in ensuring the individual's safety and well-being, demonstrating the value of strong partnerships and timely intervention.
Building Independence
A long-term Northern Pines resident recently celebrated a meaningful personal milestone. After maintaining their room since November 2025 and carefully saving their money, the individual was able to purchase a bicycle. Reliable transportation has made it easier to attend appointments, access community resources, and spend time outdoors, all of which have contributed positively to their mental well-being. They are also excited about the opportunity to transition into a permanent space within the Northern Pines Transitional Housing program, another important step toward long-term housing stability and independence.
Achieving Housing Stability
Northern Pines is also seeing positive outcomes for individuals working toward housing stability. Recently, a former resident who had experienced chronic homelessness returned to share an update after leaving the shelter several months ago. The individual had secured stable housing and was actively engaging with local mental health and substance use services to support their continued wellness. They expressed gratitude for the support they received at Northern Pines and pride in the progress they had made on their housing journey.
Community Partnerships
Northern Pines is strengthened through the support of community partners, organizations, schools, and volunteers who help create a welcoming environment and provide meaningful opportunities for residents.
Clean Green Beautiful North BayThrough generous donations, the site's gardens have flourished with vegetables, berries, flowers, and shrubs. Residents take pride in maintaining the gardens and enjoy fresh produce as part of weekly meals while building skills, fostering community connections, and promoting healthy living. |
Chippewa Secondary SchoolStudents in the shop class at Chippewa Secondary School built outdoor tables and chairs for Northern Pines residents, helping create gathering spaces that encourage connection and community. |
Barclay House SeniorsResidents from Barclay House Retirement Residence contributed handmade mittens and hats for Northern Pines residents, providing comfort and warmth, demonstrating the caring spirit that exists across our community. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about Northern Pines and 24/7 integrated shelter and housing supports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Northern Pines is a 60-unit transitional and supportive housing site located in North Bay. The site was developed in three phases that focus on life skills development. Northern Pines aims to prevent and reduce homelessness and can provide relief and support for residents with substance use and mental health challenges.
No. Northern Pines and the temporary 24/7 integrated shelter and housing supports site are not safe consumption sites, and there are no plans for a safe consumption site at this location.
DNSSAB is committed to exploring transportation options that would reduce foot traffic. With the 24/7 model, the concentration of foot traffic during specific timeframes is anticipated to be reduced.
Potential locations were identified by DNSSAB staff (and through DNSSAB's Realtor of Record), as well as through discussions with staff from the City of North Bay and Crisis Centre North Bay. Each identified site was reviewed for suitability based on the site considerations listed in the recent Homelessness System Review and Feasibility Study.
Yes, the program operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
The site immediately provides a safe space for people experiencing homelessness to connect with services and navigational support. Services will help people experiencing homelessness apply for suitable housing and get connected with mental and physical health services. Over time and through partnerships, additional service providers may offer services at the site to centralize service access and improve health and housing outcomes.
According to the recent Homelessness System Review and Feasibility Study, 24/7 programs are favoured for the following reasons:
- A sense of stability and security is provided for people experiencing homelessness and reduces the stress of arranging overnight accommodations and travelling to access meals.
- Integrating services can result in more efficient use of resources, potentially reducing operational costs and improving service delivery.
- Providing consistent integrated services is more challenging across two separate sites.
A timeline has not yet been determined. DNSSAB, Crisis Centre North Bay, and the City of North Bay have been working together to find a permanent location for a 24/7 integrated shelter and housing supports site. Advocacy is also needed to secure the funding necessary to support a permanent location.
While the search continues, a temporary 24/7 integrated shelter and housing supports site will continue at 590 Chippewa Street West, North Bay, the site of the current shelter and Northern Pines transitional housing.
No. DNSSAB, Crisis Centre North Bay, and the City of North Bay have been working together to find a permanent location for a 24/7 integrated shelter and housing supports site. Advocacy is also needed to secure the funding necessary to support a permanent location.
While the search continues, a temporary 24/7 integrated shelter and housing supports site will continue at 590 Chippewa Street West, North Bay, the site of the current shelter and Northern Pines transitional housing.
The Cold Weather Program is a service offered during the winter months to provide daytime shelter and navigational services to people experiencing homelessness.
The 24/7 integrated shelter and housing supports site is a year-round service that combines overnight shelter, daytime services, and supports to access and secure housing. A 24/7 integrated shelter and housing supports site can provide a wide variety of on-site services to improve housing and health outcomes. There are some additional supports available in the community during periods of extreme cold weather.