N’Dinawemak closes doors for renovations, set to reopen as a ‘navigation centre’: Province

Our Relatives’ Place on the Disraeli Freeway is set to close its doors after providing support to Winnipeg’s unhoused population for four years. It’s a decision that has left local community advocates frustrated.

“This is the natural evolution of a long-term plan to move people who are currently using that facility as a shelter to other locations,” said Premier Wab Kinew.

The shelter, which can house upwards of 200 people at any time, will close on April 1.

It will transform into a “navigation centre” to triage homeless people.

“Very concerned, we need more space, not less. And what had been extremely low-barrier, opened for very specific reasons and a very particular population, they are losing a key service,” said Kate Kehler, the executive director of the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg.

Attached to the same building is the Protect Care Centre.

The province said in a statement that the expansion of the care centre isn’t the cause of N’Dinawemak’s temporary closure.

“N’Dinawemak is being renovated (and asbestos abatement is being done) in order to open the navigation centre, which will be a housing touchpoint and triage centre, designed to house up to 100 people short-term and connect them to the appropriate housing,” said Kehler. “But also, I am very concerned about how this is going to collide with the city and their encampment strategy.”

Tyler Seto has stayed at N’Dinawemak for several months, and he worries about what this means once the facility closes. He says the resources provided got him through a period of homelessness.

“I was worried that we are going to lose this place. It’s very nice,” said Seto.

CityNews reached out to Siloam Mission. The non-profit responded by saying they are siding with the province on the decision.

“For every person to be moved from the existing shelter to another site, which is going to allow us to do more renovations on this facility, build on the addictions intervention that we have there, and add more services to help people in need,” said Kinew.

The province is expecting to reopen the facility next winter.

“This place is a comfortable place to stay,” said Seto.