Provincial funds will keep services open, reverse layoffs: Siloam Mission

Provincial funding to keep Siloam Mission’s daytime drop-in centre and pop-up overnight shelter open through next March is also allowing the organization to reverse planned layoffs and retain staff.

Siloam leadership said Monday they have begun contacting employees who were previously affected by layoffs, offering them the opportunity to remain with or return to the organization.

Last month, Siloam announced it would lay off 16 employees as it sought to reduce costs amid a projected $4.4-million deficit. The charity said any positions vacated by employees who have found work elsewhere or choose not to return will be posted, while temporary staffing drawn from partners in the sector will be used as needed in the interim.

“This funding will support expanded access to meals, safety and basic services for people experiencing homelessness and extreme poverty,” Siloam said in an email.

The funding, announced last week as part of the province’s broader $6.8-million pledge to help front-line organizations respond to Winnipeg’s overdose crisis, will allow up to 100 people to stay overnight in Siloam’s drop-in centre, which converts to an emergency shelter after 7 p.m.

“Siloam Mission is grateful to the Province of Manitoba for this funding support at a time of significant need,” the organization said. “Meal service has increased from 380 to 500 meals per sitting, reflecting rising need in the community, including individuals experiencing food insecurity who may not be unhoused but are accessing Siloam’s services for support.”

Despite the expanded capacity, Siloam said demand continues to far outstrip available space. Other homeless organizations had lobbied the province to step in, citing a critical need for additional shelter space following the spring closure of N’Dinawemak, a 200-bed shelter that is currently being renovated into a navigation centre for the province’s Your Way Home strategy.

The new centre is slated to open next winter, and will provide direction to those looking to move out of encampments and into housing.

“While the overnight pop-up will accommodate up to 100 people indoors (in addition to the 143 beds in Hannah’s Place Shelter), approximately 300 people are expected to remain outside in the surrounding area overnight,” the email said.

“Safety remains a top priority for Siloam Mission and a focus for fundraising, community support and staff planning.”

The organization said continued collaboration among governments, funders, service providers and community partners will be needed to meet growing demand, and encouraged ongoing support for Siloam Mission and other agencies serving people experiencing homelessness.

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca