Key Takeaways:
- On Thursday, a new idea was presented at city hall in place of a referendum to get rid of bus shelters in Winnipeg.
- Especially to see some of the council members who had voted in favor of this plan in committees reverse course, Clemens continued.
- The N’Dinawemak 24/7 winter warming safe area on the Disraeli Freeway, which is still open in July, is one example cited by proponents.
At city hall on Thursday, a fresh proposal was put up in place of a vote to remove bus shelters from Winnipeg.
Shawn Nason’s original proposal was tabled before the city council on Thursday. It requested that the city take the glass off two Transcona bus shelters.
End Homelessness’ Kris Clemens Winnipeg told CTV News that she is glad the measure was defeated.
Particularly to see some of the council members who had supported this proposal in committees change their minds, added Clemens.
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An emotional Nason retracted his previous motion and declared it was about the people after hearing public uproar from many advocacy organizations.
“On our streets, there are those dealing with severe hardships. Every day, we witness it. The homeless are not hidden; they are right in front of us, he sobbed at City Hall on Thursday.
Instead, six proposals put forth by community partners in response to the initial bus shelter motion are addressed in a new resolution proposed by Councilwoman Sherri Rollins and seconded by Nason.
According to Rollins, it’s critical to consider the opinions of organizations that assist Winnipeggers without shelter.
“What is most required to alleviate that, according to her, is housing first, harm reduction, and wraparound supports.
Regarding money and a site, the new resolution requests that the city investigate options for 150 new low-barrier temporary housing places.
Clemens says, “This step to build 150 units of transitional housing in the short term complements those initiatives already underway, and it could provide our community the additional push it needs to serve those who need it most.”
Advocates cite initiatives like the N’Dinawemak 24/7 winter warming safe place on the Disraeli Freeway, which is still open even though it is summer.
Even with this space, the amount of unsheltered persons in Winnipeg cannot be accommodated, according to Cora Morgan, the First Nations family champion with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. That is causing people to flock to bus stops or encampments instead.
It’s not an appropriate response to remove bus shelters.
A location where people are treated with dignity and respect and feel free to speak their truth might help solve the urgent demand, according to Morgan, who also suggested providing longer-term financing for safe spaces like N’Dinawemak.
“Persons require that. It’s not just providing homes; it’s about giving individuals a purpose in life, dreams, and recognition of their unique qualities.”
According to Morgan, N’Dinawemak has enough money to keep the doors open until October 31.
In July, the municipal council will once more hear the new motion.
Source: CTV News
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