The City of Winnipeg has awarded Main Street Project an exclusive contract to lead outreach work with people living in encampments. Previously, three organizations shared the responsibility, but now all encampment-related calls will go to Main Street Project, which will help implement the provincial homelessness strategy. The contract provides \$275,000 for the period of July 1 to Dec. 31, with potential extensions. Main Street Project executive director Jamil Mahmood emphasized that the funding isn’t enough to fully support 24/7 outreach but that partnerships with organizations like End Homelessness Winnipeg help fill the gap.
The award comes after a controversial incident in May, where outreach workers were seen helping set up an encampment in Point Douglas. Mahmood clarified that the workers were responding to safety concerns about potential flooding, and no housing options were immediately available at that time. Following the incident, discussions with the mayor and the province clarified that more resources would be available to support temporary accommodations in such situations.
However, the decision has been met with criticism from some, including Marion Willis of St. Boniface Street Links, who disagrees with Main Street Project’s approach. Despite these concerns, Mahmood asserts that both organizations share similar goals of supporting and housing people in need.
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