Winnipeg Camps Cleared, Residents Fear Being Hidden

As Winnipeg enforces a new bylaw against encampments in public spaces, individuals experiencing homelessness report that they are not being adequately offered housing solutions. The regulations, which prohibit camps near schools and playgrounds, have led to the dismantling of existing sites.

Some residents, like Gordon, who lost his apartment, found himself in an encampment and received only a referral to a waiting list from city outreach workers. St. Boniface Street Links, a non-profit, claims to have housed over 30 individuals since the bylaw's inception, attributing their success to minimal city support and highlighting a lack of proactive housing assistance.

City officials maintain that housing or shelter options are offered to everyone. However, concerns persist that the new rules will displace vulnerable populations without addressing the root causes of homelessness. Council members are exploring alternative solutions, such as triage sites, to facilitate a more supportive transition into stable housing.