Posts Tagged ‘homeless’

Renting sheds to homeless disgusts mayor

shed2Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz says he is disgusted that homeless people in Winnipeg are living in utility sheds.

This week, CBC News reported that a St. Boniface man was renting out two sheds on his property to a man and a woman.

The homeowner, Charlie Warman, was fined $275 by the Manitoba Health Department on Monday. Inspectors who visited his property on Horace Street told him the insulated sheds were too small.

Warman, who was charging $100 a month for each of the sheds, said he was just trying to help homeless people who can’t afford to pay for an apartment.

Katz called the practice a violation of the city’s health and safety codes, and further proof that Winnipeg needs transitional housing that would provide safe and legal places for people to stay.

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Winnipeg program for the homeless works well

Re: ‘B.C. drafts law to force homeless indoors’ (Daily News, Sept. 22)

The Main Street Project has been serving the needs of Winnipeg’s most vulnerable residents for more than 30 years.

By providing emergency shelter and food services, a drug and alcohol detoxification unit, on-site counselling, transitional housing and a range of other critical services, the project supports clients’ basic needs while giving them the opportunity to make real choices and meaningful progress every day.

The project has served the needs of Winnipeg’s estimated 1,500 to 2,000 homeless persons for more than 32 years, provides for an average 20,000 emergency overnight shelter stays per year, provides more than 6,000 individual crisis services per year, provides counselling and advocacy services to an average of 3,800 individuals a year, Read the rest of this entry »

$1.3M TO REOPEN WOMEN’S HOUSING IN DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE

VANCOUVER – The Vivian has officially reopened to provide 24-units of housing for homeless women and women at risk of homelessness, and who have mental health and addiction disorders.

The $1.3-million capital project is a result of partnerships between the Province, health authority and local non-profit societies. The Vivian originally opened in 2004 but closed after a serious fire in May 2006.

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The Vivian’s operator, the Triage Emergency Services & Care Society, began renovating the building in November 2006. Renovations were made possible by the insurance proceeds and additional donations from Triage and the Vivian Grace Ash Benevolent Society. In March 2007, the provincial government committed $772,000 towards the project and the final renovations were completed this month.

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NEW SHELTER OFFERS HOPE FOR NANAIMO’S HOMELESS

NANAIMO – Federal, provincial and local representatives gathered in Nanaimo today to celebrate the official opening of the Salvation Army’s New Hope Centre, a new $4.2-million housing development aimed at helping Nanaimo’s homeless population.

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New Hope Centre is one of 61 transitional housing developments being built across the province as a result of the Premier’s Task Force on Homelessness, Mental Illness and Addictions. Other major partners in the project include Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Human Resources and Social Development Canada, Vancouver Island Health Authority and the Salvation Army.

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30 SUPPORTIVE HOUSING UNITS TO HELP HOMELESS IN KELOWNA

KELOWNA – Construction will begin on Cardington Apartments, a new 30-unit, $6.75-million supportive housing development for homeless adults with mental health and addictions issues, following an official groundbreaking ceremony today.

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“Canada’s New Government understands the special needs of individuals who are struggling with mental health and addiction issues and the challenges of homelessness in communities across the country,” said Ron Cannan, Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. “That’s why we’re working to ensure funding is available for projects like this one, here in Kelowna, so that safe, quality and supportive housing is available for those who need it most.”

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