Will Manitoba’s homelessness strategy shut down current programs, critics ask

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Reaction, both positive and negative, to the plan announced by Manitoba which they hope will rid Winnipeg of homelessness and encampments in the next six years, continues to pour in.

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On Tuesday the province introduced the Your Way Home strategy to end chronic homelessness and end the use of homeless encampments in Winnipeg by 2031.

Beginning in February, the strategy will see the province work with the City of Winnipeg on a 30-day timeline, that will see the government move “one encampment at a time” into housing, including what the province said is 300 new social units that have been purchased and will be supported by non-profit organizations.

The plan is being praised by the Winnipeg-based Main Street Project, which said any plan that includes new and more housing in Winnipeg is a good thing for the city and for the homeless.

“Housing is the solution to homelessness,” the not-for-profit organization that works with Winnipeg’s homeless and most vulnerable said in a release. “Investments in housing have long been needed and it is a relief that our current government is moving forward with these essential investments.”

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Along with an initial $20 million investment, the province said there will also be additional wraparound support and funding provided, which will include flexible funding for people who are experiencing incidental homelessness to help ensure a “successful transition into housing.”

“From our experience, we know housing must be tailored to individual needs, and strong support systems are essential to ensure long-term success,” the Main Street Project said. “It was reassuring to learn the government’s commitment to housing that meets the needs of the people.”

But Shauna MacKinnon of Manitoba’s Right to Housing Coalition, which works on issues surrounding shortages of affordable housing, said she is not optimistic about the strategy, because she does not believe there will be enough housing to make it work.

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“The NDP government’s first budget in 2024 included a commitment to add 350 new social units, and that appears to be all we’re going to get,” MacKinnon said in a release. “Its plan to end homelessness includes no new targets for expanding the social housing supply.

“It’s difficult to imagine this plan succeeding if it doesn’t provide enough housing units affordable to people experiencing homelessness, as well as the thousands of Manitobans who are currently housed, but at risk of becoming homeless.”

Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) Acting Grand Chief Betsy Kennedy said she had mixed feelings about the province’s new plan, and added AMC had no knowledge that the plan was in the works until it was announced this week.

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“The AMC has written this government to ensure they were included in the co-development of such strategies. Unfortunately, this is the first time we have heard of this strategy,” Kennedy said in a statement this week.

“While the initiative to house 700 Manitobans is commendable, the AMC must point out that many of the unhoused individuals in Manitoba are First Nations. These individuals often relocate to urban centres for various reasons, only to find themselves without a place to call home as they attempt to access essential services.”

Kennedy added AMC has already been operating its own Eagle Urban Transition Centre, which she said has worked to address issues of homelessness and affordable housing since 2005, and AMC now worries the new strategy could divert funding and resources from that program, and from other First Nations-run housing programs.

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“Provincial strategies must not undermine or displace First Nations-led initiatives already working on the frontlines, both on and off-reserve,” Kennedy said. “These programs are critical to addressing the unique challenges facing First Nations citizens in dealing with homelessness.”

On Wednesday, advocate for the homeless Al Wiebe told The Winnipeg Sun he was concerned about the plan because he was concerned that some who are asked to leave encampments won’t go voluntarily.

“The main challenge is, what if folks do not want to move? Then will they force them to leave, creating a human rights issue?” Wiebe said. “I’m sure many will not want to leave. And then what? Will force be used?”

The province said the new strategy builds on Budget 2024’s investment of more than $116 million for the construction and upkeep of social and affordable housing. As part of this funding, the Manitoba government is building 350 new units of social and affordable housing and renovating and repairing another 3,000 units.

— Dave Baxter is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Winnipeg Sun. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.

Have thoughts on what’s going on in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada or across the world? Send us a letter to the editor at wpgsun.letters@kleinmedia.ca

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