Community organizations in Winnipeg are urging the city to reconsider its new encampment restrictions, warning that a lack of available permanent housing is making the policy harmful and ineffective. After the Mostyn Park encampment in West Broadway was cleared Wednesday, groups such as Main Street Project and the West Central Women’s Resource Centre were forced to scramble to find temporary shelter for displaced residents. Several other encampments across the city have also been dismantled since the rules took effect last month.
Under the new regulations, people cannot remain in encampments during daytime hours and are barred from setting up within 50 metres of schools, daycares, playgrounds and skating rinks, as well as within 30 metres of transit shelters, bridges and certain public facilities. Service providers say these restrictions are being enforced without sufficient housing options in place.
Main Street Project executive director Jamil Mahmood said no permanent housing was available when Mostyn Park was cleared, leaving shelters as the only short-term option. While some people found temporary beds, others have since left, making it harder to track and support them—an issue compounded by winter conditions.
Lorie English of the West Central Women’s Resource Centre said the policy disrupts trust-building and outreach efforts and disproportionately affects women and gender-diverse people. She called the restrictions a violation of human rights and urged better coordination and housing solutions before encampments are dismantled.
Read the full story on CBC: