New home for St. Boniface homeless commemorates 'homeless hero' Faron Hall

Some of thehomeless peoplewho live under the bridge and along the riverbank in St. Bonifacewill now have a place to call home.

Street Links St. Boniface, a grassroots non-profit organization, is set to officially open Morberg Houseat 311 Provencher Blvd.on Wednesday morning.

A plaque over the front door reads, "In memory of our homeless hero Faron Hall."

It's a vision realized for the head of Street Links St. Boniface, Marion Willis.

"This has been a huge journey for us, getting to know the homeless, who they are, where they come from, and how they got here. And it was Faron Hall, also known as Winnipeg's homeless hero,who put a face on who is living on the street," said Willis, who hadcared for Hall and got to know him.

Hall rescued a teen from the Red River in 2009 and was hailed a hero.

In 2014, Hall's body was pulled from the same river.

• Winnipeg's 'homeless hero' Faron Hall found dead in Red River
• Faron Hall getting a hero's day in Winnipeg

Willis says the home is made possible by Winnipeg philanthropist Gail Morberg.

"We are so so grateful to her," she said.

"Shehas done alot of work in Winnipeg to support organizations that are trying to end homelessness. She has provided the funding in full to purchase the house, $550,000. The house is memorializedafter Faron Hall. The house itself iscalled Morberg House."

Homeless move in

Willis says the three-storey house already has three residents. Three others will be taken in and eventuallyup to 12 peoplewill live there.

Funding for room and board is being provided through the province's employment and income assistance program.The entire Street Linksorganization which up to nowhas also been without a home, will also move its office into the house.

The model,Willis says, will be different fromshelters or rooming houses.

"We are taking a family, a community of people living for years on the riverbank, and putting them together in a house situation,"said Willis.

"Wrap-around services such as getting into treatment for addiction, life skills, and support, will be provided in-house. They will have to plan meals, help cook, do laundry, and cut the lawn. They won't be living isolated in separate quarters. They will be living together as a family."

Volunteers lining up

Willis adds that it is fitting the homeless will now live in a houseonce owned by the Franciscan Sisters, one of the many religious orders in St. Boniface dedicated to helping the poor and the vulnerable for decades.

She said despite the aging population in their communities, many are alreadyoffering to volunteer at Morberg House.

The rest of the community is also stepping up. Willis said she has been contacted by local businesses and organizationsto find out how they can help.

It is sheer coincidence thatthedate set for the official opening is the same day thatFaron Hall died. Willis saidthat was not planned.

"It kind of makes my hair stand on end.There is something very divine around all of this," she said.

"I really believe alot of this work has been guided. We havehad our struggles but at timeseverything seems to align. It is just amazing to me."