Pop-up shelter coming to Siloam Mission this winter

An expanded pop-up shelter is coming to Winnipeg this winter to help the city’s homeless population have a place to stay overnight.

The City of Winnipeg and End Homelessness Winnipeg-Reaching Home announced $265,000 in funding Wednesday to expand shelter capacity at Siloam Mission.

Staffing will be provided from four organizations: Siloam Mission, 1JustCity, Main Street Project, and Sunshine House.

“We are excited to host this pop-up and to share our abundance and blessings we received with others. We are excited to be a part of a team that is always collaborating to put our community members first and we are excited to not need this. Let’s build housing,” said Tessa Blaikie Whitecloud, CEO of Siloam Mission.

Pop-up hours will be from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. There will be snacks, coffee, activities, and a sleeping area.

“As the weather gets colder one of the biggest challenges that we can have in this city, especially in the winter months, is getting people out from, for example, transit shelters and out of encampments and into warm, safe places where they could be connected to appropriate supports,” said Scott Gillingham, City of Winnipeg Mayor.

The pop-up shelter will open if the overnight temperature feels like -10 Celsius or colder; all emergency shelters are consistently full; and a minimum of four staff members are present.

The decision to open the shelter will be made three days in advance.

Also coming out of Wednesday’s announcement is the news the City of Winnipeg is working on allowing St. Boniface Street Links to use 604 St. Mary’s Road this winter to provide a 24/7 safe space.

“Our own teams have been undertaking those as soon as this month to try to ensure that we got the organization proper, lawful occupancy by early December,” said Michael Jack, the Chief Administrative Officer of the City of Winnipeg.

The city was looking to sell the property after it was declared surplus and with it needing repairs.

“I’m really delighted to say that the city and our organization have been working hand and glove to try to make that happen as soon as possible,” said Marion Willis, the Executive Director of St. Boniface Street Links.

The city’s CAO says plans are still in place to sell 604 St. Mary’s Road.