‘The system is under increasing strain’: Chronic homelessness increasing in Winnipeg

End Homelessness Winnipeg says the number of chronically homeless people in the city is growing. CTV’s Jeff Keele reports.

New numbers from End Homelessness Winnipeg indicate more people are becoming chronically homeless, increasing pressure on organizations providing shelter space in the city.

According to the organization, there are 8,248 people living without stable housing in Winnipeg as of March 26. Of those, 4,463 people are experiencing chronic homelessness, an increase of 104 in just one month.

“This data should concern all Winnipeggers,” said End Homelessness Winnipeg CEO Jennifer Moore Rattray in a news release. “Behind every number is a person—a relative—facing instability and the system is under increasing strain.”

The organization defines chronic homelessness as a person who has been homeless for at least 180 days within a year, even if those days are not consecutive, or has experienced repeated periods of homelessness over three years that add up to at least 18 months.

The numbers come from the homeless individual and families information system by-name list, which is used by homelessness agencies in Winnipeg. End Homelessness Winnipeg said the numbers only include people who are known to or have registered with organizations, and the true number may be much higher.

End Homelessness Winnipeg said the number of people entering homelessness is outpacing people securing stable housing, and it’s leading to more people becoming chronically homeless or being homeless for longer periods of time.

The organization is calling for a coordinated plan involving all levels of government and community organizations to help reduce the numbers, including increased access to housing and expanded supports.