A Chatham-Kent housing project aimed at addressing homelessness has received provincial recognition for its approach to the issue.
The municipality’s Pathways on Park Transitional Cabin Project was awarded a 2026 Peter J. Marshall Municipal Innovation Award from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, which recognizes municipal governments for innovative approaches that improve efficiency, strengthen service delivery and build effective partnerships.
The award was presented Tuesday at the AMO Annual Conference in Ottawa by AMO executive director Lindsay Jones and AMO president Robin Jones, alongside Ontario Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack.
“Pathways on Park is a great example of how municipalities can effectively partner with community agencies to deliver timely, person-centred housing solutions while maximizing existing assets and public investment,” said Jones. “We were very impressed that the project repurposed an existing municipal property into safe, supportive transitional housing units when it is so critically needed.”
Pathways on Park recently marked its first full year of operation, providing transitional housing and around-the-clock supports to people experiencing homelessness while helping participants work toward stable, long-term housing.
Since opening, the program has supported 126 unique individuals, including 12 unaccompanied youth and 11 seniors aged 65 and older. It has also accommodated 16 dogs, with organizers noting that allowing people to remain with their pets can help remove a barrier to accessing shelter and housing supports.
Demand for the program was immediate, with 46 of its 50 cabins occupied within the first week of operation. The average participant stays 81 days while working with staff and community partners toward greater stability.
Twenty-eight participants have moved from Pathways on Park into long-term housing, and 93 per cent of them remain housed, with one participant having maintained housing for more than 315 days.
“This award is tremendous recognition of the people and partnerships behind Pathways on Park, but the results are what we are most proud of,” said Mayor Darrin Canniff. “Twenty-eight people have moved into long-term housing, and 93 per cent remain housed. Those are people in our community who have been given an opportunity to build a more stable future. Pathways on Park demonstrates what we can accomplish when we take an innovative approach and work together.”
Pathways on Park provides 50 individual transitional cabins along with shared amenities and access to 24/7 case management. Participants receive individualized support connecting them with housing services, life-skills programming, mental health and addiction supports and other community resources.
This marks the second award for Pathways on Park, after it received the Local Municipal Champion award from the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association in May.
