Province committing $1.5M to warming centre

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This article was published 19/11/2021 (1412 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In what the premier says is “a start” toward helping Manitobans who are most in need, the province is spending $1.5 million on a 150-bed warming centre that is expected to give homeless people a daytime and overnight place to stay starting Dec. 1.

The facility, located at 190 Disraeli Fwy., was born out of need and is a step forward as the province acknowledges the need for more Indigenous-led, low-barrier support spaces to support people, Premier Heather Stefanson said, announcing the initiative Friday morning.

“This is a critical time in our province’s history to listen, to heal and to bring Manitobans together to build a healthier, stronger future for all Manitobans, especially those most in need,” Stefanson said.

“We have heard from you and we are taking action.”

The premier said the $1.5 million was “a start,” but didn’t commit to long-term funding.

“We’ll see,” she said. “And as we always do, if there’s more need, then we’ll look at that.”

Stefanson made the announcement at the site with Families Minister Rochelle Squires, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Arlen Dumas and End Homelessness Winnipeg CEO Jason Whitford. Two teepees and a sacred fire were constructed in front of the building and tobacco was shared.

Dumas made a point of saying he wanted to “personally acknowledge” the premier for her words and willingness to meet on this issue.

“She knows I’m an individual who will make sure we all honour our words,” he said, adding the project is an example of an “innovative” solution that comes from working together.

“I’d be more than eager to present many more of these solutions to our premier and her team, as well as all of the other willing partners that we have. Shutting off the heat in bus shelters is not one of those strategies. Making places uncomfortable for people who are literally in a bad situation is not acceptable. We have to find innovative ways.”

In 2019, AMC partnered with End Homelessness Winnipeg and sought to understand how many Indigenous people in Manitoba, on and off reserve, are homeless and what led them there.

Whitford, who worked for many years for AMC, referenced the complex roots of homelessness and said the organization has found about half of Winnipeggers who are currently homeless have had involvement with the child-welfare system.

“That’s a sad state,” he said. “This initiative came as a result of need. A lot more work needs to be done in this area. There’s a lot of innovative work that we can create.”

Squires, who was asked about safe-injection sites and what the government is doing to address addiction, said she knows housing and addiction are complex issues that need to be addressed. And she emphasized the disproportionate impact on Indigenous people.

“We have to work together and collaborate to (end) homelessness amongst all Manitobans (and), in particular, Indigenous people throughout the province,” she said.

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @thatkatiemay