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Matt Goerzen \/ Brandon Sun Files<\/p>\n
Housing Minister Bernadette Smith<\/p>\n
That means the process of getting someone off the streets can be extremely involved \u2014 simply finding a home is not a magic solution all on its own.<\/p>\n
It may well be that all sorts of supports are available for new residents, including residents who were formerly homeless, who are being moved into available spaces. It may also be true that not everyone is willing to take up the supports that are offered \u2014 or may in fact actively refuse that help \u2014 and be equally true that others fall back into the throes of addiction.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s tragic enough, because nothing is as frustrating as trying to help people who refuse that help.<\/p>\n
But helping people find homes seems to be creating its own problems for others.<\/p>\n
Through the Your Way Home program,
\nhigh-needs homeless people, often with addictions or mental health issues, are being moved into vacant spaces in 55-plus buildings.<\/p>\n
The result is security issues for existing residents, some of whom say they no longer feel safe in the halls of their buildings, or even in their own units. That there is evidence of drug use, intoxication, gang violence and other crime, and residents say they now live in fear.<\/p>\n
Agnes Breton is 73 and lives in the Canadian Polish Manor in north Winnipeg: \u201cI\u2019ve never been frightened in my life and now I am,\u201d Breton told the Free Press.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been here 11 years and this is the first year my daughter is at me to move out,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s really awful.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then, there\u2019s the case of the public housing block at 145 Powers St. Safety problems in that building have gotten so bad that home-care workers will no longer go into the building to provide care to residents: instead, the residents needing care have to cross the street to another building.<\/p>\n
A Winnipeg Regional Health Authority spokesperson told the Free Press in a statement that, \u201cProviding safe, compassionate quality is a priority. That not only includes the safety of the clients, but of staff as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Manitoba Housing stopped moving formerly homeless tenants into the building in January when safety issues arose, but at this point the safety concerns continue.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to stabilize and ensure that the folks that were living there had the supports and services that they need,\u201d Housing, Addictions and Homelessness Minister Bernadette Smith said. \u201cIt has improved\u2026 and we\u2019re going to continue to work on ensuring that everyone in that building feels safe and secure.\u201d<\/p>\n
Without a doubt, complex needs require complex solutions, and that complexity does not lend itself to simple or quick solutions.<\/p>\n
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