What Lakehead Social Planning Council does

Lakehead Social Planning Council (LSPC) is a registered Canadian charitable nonprofit founded in 1967 and headquartered in Thunder Bay, Ontario, serving marginalized populations across the city and Northwestern Ontario. The organization provides direct community services including 211 North information and referral, the Point-in-Time Count homelessness enumeration, racism incident reporting, utility and income tax support programs, a living wage campaign, a poverty reduction strategy, and the Tiny Homes Project.

The organization's core technology asset is Thunder Bay HIFIS, a web-enabled Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS) that enables coordinated access and client-level service transaction tracking across 10+ frontline partner organizations. Technical management of HIFIS was transitioned to Epsilon Data Intelligence inc in 2025, with LSPC retaining its role as community lead and data steward. In 2025, the organization launched interactive HIFIS dashboards and the Point-in-Time Count Infographic, expanding its function from data steward to data publisher for researchers and policymakers.

LSPC operates as the federally designated Community Entity for the Reaching Home program in Thunder Bay, making the Government of Canada its de facto anchor funder. Revenue is derived from federal grants under Reaching Home, supplemented by charitable donations via CanadaHelps, with no commercial pricing model. The organization is led by Executive Director Marie Klassen and governed by a Board of Directors, with strategic alliances to academic institutions (Lakehead University, York University, University of Lethbridge) and Indigenous-serving organizations including the Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre.

Name

Lakehead Social Planning Council

Legal name

Lakehead Social Planning Council

Website

https://lspc.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lakehead Social Planning Council is a Thunder Bay-based nonprofit charitable organization that serves marginalized populations in Northwestern Ontario, operating the federally designated Reaching Home Community Entity and the Thunder Bay HIFIS homelessness data platform for 10+ partner service providers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services and Community Development

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (9251), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Social planning services
• Homelessness data management
• Community information referral
• Poverty reduction programs
• Social research services

Headquarters

HQ city

Thunder Bay

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Lakehead Social Planning Council is a nonprofit charitable organization that delivers services and resources to marginalized populations in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario, conducts social research, and operates Thunder Bay HIFIS — a regional Homelessness Management Information System — alongside the 211 North community information and referral service. Its portfolio spans homelessness response and data coordination, poverty reduction, anti-racism initiatives, income support programs, housing initiatives (Tiny Homes), and community research publications including the Voluntary Local Review.

Product overview

Lakehead Social Planning Council operates as a non-profit social planning organization offering a diverse portfolio of interconnected programs and services focused on community well-being, poverty reduction, and homelessness response in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The core technology product is Thunder Bay HIFIS (Homeless Individuals and Families Information System), a web-enabled HMIS platform enabling coordinated access and data-driven decision-making across multiple service providers. Supporting services include 211 North for community information and referral, the Point-in-Time Count for homelessness enumeration, and various financial support programs (Income Tax Clinic, Utility Support Programs, Affordable Access Recreation and Transit). The organization also runs advocacy initiatives including the Living Wage Campaign, Poverty Reduction Strategy, and the Tiny Homes Project. Additional services include racism incident reporting through an online portal, the Snow Angels volunteer program, and research publications such as the Voluntary Local Review aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Thunder Bay HIFIS: Homeless Individuals and Families Information System - a web-enabled HMIS for homelessness data, coordinated access, and community dashboards in Thunder Bay, managed in collaboration with Epsilon Data Intelligence inc.
• 211 North

Products and services

• Thunder Bay HIFIS A web-enabled Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS) that enables multiple service providers in Thunder Bay to implement coordinated access, document client-level service transactions, and access interactive dashboards for homelessness data.
• 211 North A community information and referral service available 24/7 by dialing 2-1-1, connecting individuals to social services, community resources, and support programs in northern Ontario.
• Point-in-Time Count A 24-hour community-led homelessness enumeration initiative that captures detailed demographics and experiences of people experiencing homelessness, producing infographics and reports for community planning.
• Racism Incident Reporting An online and phone-based service allowing community members to report racism incidents, with data used to identify trends and inform anti-racism policy and initiatives.
• Graffiti Guard A program under 211 North focused on addressing and monitoring graffiti incidents in the Thunder Bay community.
• Income Tax Clinic Free tax filing assistance for eligible individuals, accessible by calling 2-1-1.
• Utility Support Programs Financial support programs helping low-income residents manage utility costs.
• Affordable Access Recreation and Transit A pilot program providing eligible participants with bus passes at half price and $350 credit for City of Thunder Bay recreation and culture programs.
• Living Wage Campaign A community initiative recognizing employers who pay a living wage, advocating for fair compensation above minimum wage.
• Tiny Homes Project An innovative housing initiative combining Indigenous knowledge, skilled trades training, and community partnerships to provide youth with hands-on learning opportunities while addressing housing needs in Northwestern Ontario First Nations communities.
• Poverty Reduction Strategy A comprehensive community strategy to address poverty through coordinated initiatives, research, and advocacy.
• Voluntary Local Review A data-driven sub-national review measuring Thunder Bay's progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, published in collaboration with local organizations.
• Snow Angels A volunteer program managed by Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre to help seniors and individuals with mobility challenges by providing snow shoveling assistance.
• Broadcast Email Service An email communication service keeping community members informed about LSPC news, updates, and events.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Epsilon Data Intelligence inccoreTechnology or IntegrationEpsilon Data Intelligence inc co-manages Thunder Bay HIFIS with LSPC, providing technical management for the homelessness data system. The collaboration operates under Reaching Home directives and combines LSPC's community leadership with Epsilon's technical expertise.
• Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre (TBIFC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTBIFC is a key co-lead in the Point-in-Time Count and expanded partnership ensuring culturally responsive data collection practices and representation of Indigenous clients in the homelessness response system.
• Coordinated Housing Access Table (CHAT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHAT coordinates housing access across Thunder Bay's homelessness response system, working with LSPC on system-wide planning and the Coordinated Housing Access Table governance.
• Connected MindssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnected Minds is a research partnership contributing to homelessness research alongside LSPC and other partners, advancing knowledge on homelessness through community-informed research.
• Superior-Greenstone District School BoardsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on the Tiny Homes Project combining Indigenous knowledge, skilled trades training, and community partnerships to provide youth with hands-on learning opportunities while addressing housing needs in Northwestern Ontario First Nations communities.
• Lakehead Public SchoolssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with Superior-Greenstone District School Board and LSPC on the Tiny Homes Project, providing skilled trades training and educational opportunities.
• Shelter House Thunder BaysupportingOthersFrontline homelessness service provider using HIFIS to document client-level service transactions and participate in coordinated access.
• Elizabeth Fry Society of Northwestern OntariosupportingOthersProvides programs for women and gender diverse people involved in the criminal justice system, operating as a HIFIS partner organization.
• Elevate NWOsupportingOthersFrontline organization sharing data through HIFIS to improve outcomes for people experiencing homelessness in Northwestern Ontario.
• Thunder Bay District Health UnitsupportingOthersHealth unit participating in the HIFIS network and homelessness response system in Thunder Bay.
• John Howard Society of Thunder BaysupportingOthersFrontline service provider in the HIFIS network, contributing to coordinated access for people experiencing homelessness.
• Lutheran Community CaresupportingOthersCommunity care organization participating in the HIFIS data sharing network for homelessness services.
• Alpha CourtsupportingOthersFrontend service provider sharing data through HIFIS as part of Thunder Bay's coordinated homelessness response.
• Salvation Army (Journey to Life Centre)supportingOthersShelter and service provider participating in the HIFIS system for homelessness data coordination.
• Kinna Aweya Legal ServicessupportingOthersLegal services provider contributing to the HIFIS network and homelessness response system.
• Lakehead UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner providing research support and technical expertise for HIFIS. Previously managed the technical aspects of HIFIS before transition to Epsilon Data Intelligence inc.
• York UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner with Dr. Vijay Mago (Chair in Health Policy & Management) and Dr. Frederic Fu (Postdoctoral Fellow) contributing to homelessness research through HIFIS data.
• University of LethbridgesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner with Dr. Rebecca Schiff serving as Project Lead and Deputy Provost, contributing research expertise on community health and Indigenous wellbeing.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Social Planning Toronto: Toronto-based nonprofit social planning council conducting research, policy advocacy, and community coordination on poverty, housing, and equity. Most directly comparable to LSPC as a municipal social planning body delivering research, advocacy, and coordination services in a single Canadian city.
• Vancouver Social Planning (Vancouver Foundation): Social planning and community development organization working on housing, poverty, and equity in the Vancouver region. Comparable to LSPC in scope of social research and community coordination, though with significantly larger funding base.
• Calgary Social Planning: Calgary-based social planning council producing research and policy analysis on social issues including homelessness and poverty. Directly comparable structure and mandate to LSPC at a municipal scale.
• 211 Ontario (Findhelp): Province-wide 211 service for Ontario connecting residents to community, social, health, and government services. 211 North (operated by LSPC) is functionally a regional node of the broader 211 Ontario network; comparable as direct community information and referral infrastructure.

Emerging players

• Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness: National nonprofit advancing evidence-based policy and practice to end homelessness in Canada, including operating a national database of community plans. Comparable to LSPC in homelessness data advocacy and policy focus, but operates at national scale.
• Raising the Roof: Canadian national charity focused on long-term solutions to homelessness through grantmaking, research, and national programs. Comparable to LSPC in mission orientation around homelessness prevention and supporting community-level solutions.
• Wellesley Institute: Toronto-based nonprofit research and policy institute focused on health equity, housing, and economic inclusion. Comparable to LSPC in social research and policy advocacy on housing and equity, though without the operational/coordination mandate.

Broad incumbents

• Maytree Foundation: Canadian foundation focused on poverty reduction through policy, programs, and place-based initiatives including the national A Way Home initiative. Comparable to LSPC in poverty reduction mission and policy engagement, but operates at national scale with significantly larger assets.

Regional players

• Tungasuvvingat Inuit (TI): Ottawa-based Inuit-specific service provider offering housing, homelessness, and cultural programs serving urban Inuit. Comparable to LSPC in delivering coordinated housing and homelessness services with cultural-community specificity, though focused on a different Indigenous community.
• Eva's Initiatives for Homeless Youth: Toronto-based charity providing shelter, housing, and skills training for homeless and at-risk youth. Comparable to LSPC's Tiny Homes Project and youth-focused housing efforts, though operating as direct service provider rather than community planning entity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lakehead-social-planning-council

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Lakehead Social Planning Council