Manitoba has acquired 67 additional social housing units for $6.4 million to support residents of homeless encampments in Winnipeg under the Your Way Home strategy. Housing, Addictions and Homelessness Minister Bernadette Smith announced the expansion Friday, emphasizing the need to end tent living in a wealthy country.
The new units, spread across three locations, will be managed with the help of Main Street Project, Siloam Mission, and Sunshine House. They include wraparound support services aimed at helping residents transition to long-term housing. While addresses are undisclosed for privacy, most locations are in or near downtown Winnipeg.
Premier Wab Kinew said the plan to shut down encampments one-by-one has already seen 33 people rehoused from 17 sites since February. Of those, 28 were housed in units part of Friday’s announcement. The long-term goal is to house all 700 Manitobans currently living in encampments over the next eight years.
The 41 units managed by Siloam Mission and Main Street Project will open in stages, while 14 units under Sunshine House already host 16 tenants. Another 12 were added to an existing site. Kinew acknowledged the time and effort needed for renovations and service coordination but emphasized the urgency expressed by encampment residents.
Advocates and partners such as Jamil Mahmood of Main Street Project and Julianne Aitken of Siloam Mission praised the collaboration. Mahmood stressed the importance of creating housing that fosters community and support, not just shelter. Formerly homeless advocate Al Wiebe echoed the value of comprehensive care in ensuring success for vulnerable individuals.
Source: Swifteradio.com
