Manitoba government moves dozens of people from encampments into housing

The exterior of the Manitoba Legislature is seen in Winnipeg, Nov. 6, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government says it has moved dozens of people living in encampments into homes over the past three months as part of its long-term strategy to reduce homelessness.

The province is providing $6.4 million to open up more social housing as part of its long-term strategy to reduce homelessness, partnering with community agencies to bring 67 social housing units online and provide on-site supports.

Supports include trauma-informed, culturally appropriate programming and addictions treatment.

"Nobody should have to call a tent a home when we live in such a rich country like Canada," Housing, Addictions and Homelessness Minister Bernadette Smith said on Friday.

"We know that four walls is simply not enough for people. We have people living in encampments that have very high needs. That's why we've committed to wraparound support so that we can make sure that people are successfully housed."

The NDP government has promised to eliminate chronic homelessness — people who are unhoused for several months or more — in the next seven years. A major part of its plan is to remove the estimated 700 people living in encampments across the province.

Part of the plan, announced earlier this year, includes buying apartment buildings so people living in encampments have immediate access to secure housing.

Several buildings are being bought and renovated, and the province aims to partner with municipalities and agencies to offer support services, such as addiction treatment.

The 67 units are being spread across different locations, said Tessa Blaikie Whitecloud, the province's top adviser on homelessness.

"There is a hunger for housing with a lot of folks, but those units haven't existed before," she said.

Some units opened at Sunshine House, a Winnipeg resource centre, for a transitional housing program for LGBTQ+ individuals exiting encampments.

Executive director Levi Foy said the organization's housing team works with residents to develop a plan that best suits their needs. This can include getting residents connected with cultural programs, mental health services, as well as addictions and treatment services.

"Everyone that lives and works in that space are dealers of hope and care, and you can feel it even in the tough moments," said Foy.

Other units opened at an apartment building, while homeless shelters Siloam Mission and Main Street Project are working together to operate another block of units. Siloam will manage the property and Main Street Project will provide 24-hour staffing and supports on site.

Work is underway to clear encampments with the help of city staff and partner organizations.

The province said it has cleared out 17 encampments. In some cases, other groups have set up encampments near shuttered ones, said Blaikie Whitecloud. Of the 33 people the province has housed, none have returned to living in tents.

The aim is to repeat the process, site by site, until they are clear. The province has a goal of opening up some 300 residential units.

Tory housing, addictions and homelessness critic Carrie Hiebert said in a statement that Manitoba simply doesn't have enough support for homeless people being moved into housing.

She added that encampments reappear weeks after people are moved into homes.

"We need to make sure that folks moved into housing are supported so they can continue to live their best life," Hiebert said. "It’s more than just finding a unit to live in. It needs to be a whole community approach."

An advocacy group representing some northern First Nations in the province said the announcement is a step toward ending homelessness, but the scope of the investment falls short of serving all Manitobans.

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak said that by having all the current units available in Winnipeg, it creates a persistent southern bias in social services and affordable-housing investments.

"Hundreds of Manitobans across the Manitoba Keewatinowi region face overcrowding, sky-high rents and insecure living conditions," Grand Chief Garrison Settee said in a statement.

"True progress demands that (the province's homelessness strategy) reach every corner of Manitoba."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 9, 2025.

Brittany Hobson, The Canadian Press