On any given night in Winnipeg, about 350 people are sleeping at one of the city’s homeless shelters. Estimates vary, but another 1,400 people, without a place to call home, are sleeping on the street, in temporary accommodation, or with a range of friends, relatives or mere acquaintances.

There are three main shelters for adults experiencing a housing crisis in the city, in addition to the youth shelters and safe houses for women fleeing domestic violence. Shelters report that their beds are usually full, and sometimes they must turn people away. Countless other agencies, volunteer groups, and churches provide assistance with basic needs, counselling, information and one-on-one support for individuals experiencing homelessness.

With so many people experiencing homelessness in some form, and yet so many agencies involved in assisting individuals and families, there is clearly a social problem that is not being adequately addressed. In fact, the number of people staying in emergency shelters has increased in the past three years. While there are different reasons people do not have a permanent address, the availability of adequate housing and income are two key determinants. To address the issue of homelessness it is therefore necessary to increase the availability and accessibility of housing and reduce the prevalence of poverty.

This report provides only a glimpse into the housing challenges faced by thousands of Winnipeggers. The report utilizes information collected from the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS) database and anecdotal information gathered from two focus groups held at women’s centres earlier this year.

We suggest viewing homelessness as a range of diverse experiences requiring different supports, interventions, policies, and programs that go beyond moving people from one type of homelessness to another, but rather, meet the complex nature of individuals’ lives.