In 2025, the City of Winnipeg and the province of Manitoba are set to introduce a plan to clear out encampments and move people into housing. Mayor Scott Gillingham and Premier Wab Kinew shared details of the plan with Global News, emphasizing that tents are not a permanent solution for homelessness. The plan involves service providers moving from camp to camp, providing wraparound support for addiction and mental health within a 30-day period. Once individuals are housed, they will not be allowed to return to the encampment area, although enforcement details were not provided.
The collaborative effort between the city, province, federal government, Indigenous governments, non-profit sector, and private sector aims to address homelessness in a coordinated manner. A non-profit housing concierge has been established to help service providers navigate the process of getting housing built for those in need. The province has acquired housing to support the plan, addressing legal challenges related to the availability of housing units. Siloam Mission CEO Tessa Blaikie Whitecloud mentioned plans to build 700 to 1,000 housing units over the next 10 years, focusing on supporting individuals out of encampments.
St. Boniface Street Links founder Marion Willis expressed optimism about the plan, calling it a significant step forward and validating the work her team has been doing for the past few years. Social Planning Council of Winnipeg executive director Kate Kehler stressed the importance of measures to help individuals on the brink of homelessness stay housed. She also emphasized the need for sufficient funding and resources to ensure the successful coordination of the plan. Downtown Community Safety Partnership executive director Greg Burnett highlighted the importance of all levels of government and organizations working together to address homelessness effectively.
Premier Wab Kinew emphasized the urgency of moving quickly to address homelessness, acknowledging the need to put all the pieces in place before implementing the plan. He called for an end to accepting tents as a permanent solution for homelessness in a wealthy country like Canada. The plan focuses on not only clearing out encampments but also providing the necessary support and resources for individuals to transition into stable housing. The involvement of multiple stakeholders and a coordinated effort is seen as crucial in addressing the complex issue of homelessness in Winnipeg and Manitoba.
