At last, some good news on homelessness
There is no shortage of reasons to be frustrated about homelessness in Winnipeg. But the latest numbers provide something that has been increasingly difficult to find — evidence that at […]
Good news has emerged in the ongoing struggle against homelessness in Winnipeg. After months of frustration, the latest figures reveal that at least some progress is being made. In July, the city counted 245 people residing in 72 encampments, a stark contrast to September 2022 when approximately 700 individuals were residing in 100 encampments. While this does not signify the complete resolution of the issue, it does demonstrate that improvements are underway.
Winnipeg's encampment protocol, implemented last November, restricts encampments near sensitive locations such as schools, daycares, and playgrounds. Critics argue that evicting encampments without offering viable alternatives merely shifts homelessness. Nonetheless, the housing aspect of the solution is crucial. Over 260 people have been relocated from encampments through the Your Way Home strategy, developed by Manitoba.
This strategy aims to facilitate people moving from encampments to housing. However, the success of the initiative cannot solely be measured by the number of tents.
City councillor Cindy Gilroy emphasizes that some transitional housing options may have restrictions on drug use, which could prevent some individuals from moving indoors. Coun. Sherri Rollins questions whether the city possesses sufficient outreach capacity and basic services to effectively manage encampments. These concerns are legitimate and must be addressed, rather than dismissed. However, dismissing the overall approach as ineffective due to its imperfections would be equally erroneous.
While Winnipeg may never completely eradicate homelessness, the primary objective should be to reduce the number of individuals living outdoors, increase the number transitioning into housing, and provide necessary supports to maintain their housing. The latest statistics indicate that fewer people are residing in encampments, and hundreds are moving into housing.
Although this is not a perfect solution and the problem remains far from over, it is a testament to the fact that progress is achievable in a city that has long faced a worsening homelessness crisis.
Written by urgent.news from Winnipeg Free Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
