‘This really helps’: funding for shelters a lifeline for homeless

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This article was published 04/11/2023 (720 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Kathryn Myran carried two backpacks and a couple of coats.

“If someone can’t carry the bag, they shouldn’t have taken the bag,” she said, wrestling one’s zipper before slinging the sack over her shoulder.

She’s nomadic, travelling between shelters in Winnipeg’s core. Some places are better for showers, others are better for meals.

As she explains this, a friend — another shelter user — passes by with a danish. Would she like it?

“They become the family you choose,” said Myran, danish in hand.

She stood outside Siloam Mission. A couple weeks ago, the organization hosted a pop-up for people without houses to get their own identification, Myran said, adding it was very helpful.

She visits the site for meals and rest.

Siloam Mission is among a handful of shelters receiving funding to operate 24-7 this winter. The provincial government announced $2.6 million for five shelters Thursday.

It’s the difference between some places opening during the day or not, said Tessa Blaikie Whitecloud, Siloam Mission’s chief executive.

However, Siloam Mission already operated through the sun hours — it sees about 600 people during the day, compared to roughly 146 overnight.

“The challenge was our capacity to continue to do that, so this really helps,” Blaikie Whitecloud said.

Last year, the non-profit estimated a deficit surpassing $1 million, which it avoided through donations.

Siloam Mission will receive $600,000 of the province’s recently announced money. It will assist with the $760,000 deficit the shelter is projecting this year, Blaikie Whitecloud said.

More people are using its services, food prices have increased and donations have declined, she added.

Siloam Mission has hired new drop-in staff because of the heightened demand.

“This one needs to continue, (to) get more funding,” said Jason O’Neil.

He’s been in and out of shelters, including Siloam Mission and Main Street Project, for the past decade.

Main Street Project was his “primary” for many of those years, he said. It’s set to receive funding from the New Democrat government, as are three shelters outside of Winnipeg.

“You kind of migrate around a bit,” O’Neil said. “You’re always forced to get up and move.”

When Siloam Mission would close to clean, O’Neil might head to The Salvation Army or another space.

He’s been taking a bed on the third floor of Siloam Mission — a second-stage housing centre for sober individuals. O’Neil took an Addictions Foundation Manitoba course while there.

He’s seen people take art classes at Siloam Mission; he’s received eye care and has regularly helped cook meals.

O’Neil’s next step is finding a place to live.

“Something affordable, but it’s got to be comfortable,” he said, finishing a cigarette outside Siloam Mission. “It can’t be a rundown rooming house with cockroaches all over the place.”

He’s wary — he’s heard it’s hard to get a home when a shelter is listed on the application.

“Look at all these empty buildings,” said Noella Roulette, sitting on a bench off Princess Street. “They should do something with these empty buildings — somebody could be living in there, instead of letting them rot or whatever.”

Roulette visits Siloam Mission for meals, but she prefers to sleep on the street. She “lost everything” and now, in part, collects cans to earn some money.

“Maybe it’s not their fault why they’re on the street,” she said.

She’d like to see affordable housing and more mental health supports for people experiencing homelessness.

Myran, a fellow nomad who had a professional life, believes more needs to be done to connect people in shelters with resources like laundry and mentorship.

Trying to survive is full-time work, Myran noted.

“When you’re already looking homeless, what’s the percentage of you actually getting a job?” she asked. “We’ve got to be able to provide things that are necessary for our homeless to leave the system.”

Brandon’s Blue Door Drop-In Centre, Oscar’s Place in The Pas and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak’s space in Thompson will also receive funding to be 24-7 “service hubs.”

The pilot program launched in early October and is set to end in March. Blaikie Whitecloud hopes the funding sets a precedent for the future.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com