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• HOMEWorks! Homeless Strategy with a Focus on Mental Health Housing
  • Homeless Shelters
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  • Cold Weather Strategy
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  • Housing First
  • The Mental Health Commission of Canada

Cold Weather Strategy

Together, the emergency homeless shelter providers of Winnipeg agreed that in times of extreme cold, special measures need to be taken to ensure that additional space is available and additional service is offered at agencies.

When the temperature reaches -20 Celsius (with the wind chill factor), and all emergency homeless shelters are full, the Cold Weather Policy is implemented to allow for an additional 80 residential spaces.  The intent is that no one should have to be sleeping out in the cold during extreme weather conditions.  In some cases, the strategy supersedes the policies of the shelters regarding the refusal of admittance to clients.

This strategy was implemented in cooperation with the emergency homeless shelter providers who serve this community, as well as the Downtown Biz Outreach and the City of Winnipeg Police Service, who are integral partners with the emergency homeless shelter providers in delivering and communicating the Cold Weather Strategy.

The Province is very supportive of the agencies collaborating on a Cold Weather Strategy and will work cooperatively with the emergency homeless shelters to evaluate the outcomes of this important cooperative initiative.