The Municipality of Chatham-Kent’s Pathways on Park Transitional Cabin Project has received provincial recognition for its innovative approach to addressing homelessness, earning a prestigious 2026 Peter J. Marshall Municipal Innovation Award from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).
The award recognizes municipal governments that demonstrate excellence through innovative approaches that improve capital or operating efficiency, strengthen service delivery and create effective partnerships.
The award was presented Tuesday at the 2026 AMO Annual Conference in Ottawa by AMO Executive Director Lindsay Jones and AMO President Robin Jones, alongside the Honourable Rob Flack, Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
“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 AMO President Robin 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. Pathways on Park has also accommodated 16 dogs, recognizing that allowing people to remain with their pets can help remove a significant 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 at Pathways on Park for 81 days while working with staff and community partners toward greater stability and permanent housing.
Most importantly, 28 participants have successfully moved from Pathways on Park into long-term housing. Of those individuals, 93 per cent remain housed, with one participant now having maintained their 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 is the second award received by Pathways on Park; having also received recognition from the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA) through the Local Municipal Champion award, which was presented in May of this year.
The project was designed as more than a temporary place to stay. Its focus is on providing a safe and supportive environment where participants can address barriers to housing and work toward long-term stability.
Receiving the Peter J. Marshall Municipal Innovation Award recognizes Chatham-Kent’s approach of combining municipal resources, community partnerships and person-centred services to respond to homelessness while making effective use of public investment.
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Media Contact:
Eric Labadie
Manager, Corporate Communications
Municipality of Chatham-Kent
ericl@chatham-kent.ca
