Shelters receive $2.6M promised by previous government to support daytime operations

Five shelters for Manitobansin need of support will get provincial money to operate during the day.

The recently elected NDP government held a news conference Thursday to tout the new funding, which was announced in July by the previous Progressive Conservative government.

The $2.6 million in funding is being split between the five shelters, including Siloam Mission and Main Street Project in Winnipeg.

"Before this funding, many shelters in our province have only been able to offer space at night for folks most in need," said Bernadette Smith, the new minister for housing, addictions and homelessness.

"This is exactly why we're seeing Manitobans seeking shelter in bus shelters, under bridges, in the entrances of businesses."

The pilot programbegan in October and will continue until the end of March 2024.

Tessa BlaikieWhitecloud, CEO of Siloam Mission, said the support will ensure the shelter doesn't have to cut programming.

"A lot of folks thatare coming to us to access services during the day are actually housed, and we're the difference between staying housed for them and experiencing homelessness again," she said.

During daytime hours, those clientscanaccess meals, employment programs, medical care and counselling, among other supports,BlaikieWhitecloud said.

Siloam Mission and Main Street Projectwill both receive$600,000 through the pilot program.

As well, the Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation got $350,000 for itsBlue Door drop-in centre,Oscar's Place in The Pas is receiving $250,000 andManitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak will get$350,000 for operations in Thompson.

TheProgressive Conservatives said details about the new government's approach to homelessness are lacking.

"Whileit's great to see the NDP do something the PCs were already doing, I would like to see some more transparency of their plans as a government going forward," said Morden-Winkler MLA Carrie Hiebert, the Opposition critic for housing, addictions and homelessness.