End Homelessness Winnipeg

Together we can end homelessness in Winnipeg

Oraye St. Franklyn

Posted: Filed Under: Community Blog

The Ending Homelessness Together gathering commenced on December 3, 2024, at WAG-Qaumajuq with a powerful and reflective opening ceremony. The event, focused on unity, cultural understanding, and reconciliation, began with a Pipe Ceremony led by Elder Wanbdi Wakita and a Lighting of the Qulliq by Elder Martha Peet, grounding participants in Indigenous traditions of respect and healing.

Jason Whitford, CEO of End Homelessness Winnipeg, delivered a welcome address, affirming the commitment to collaboration and reconciliation. He stated, 

This gathering is a critical step toward reconciliation…Together, we aim to create lasting solutions that respect Indigenous teachings, strengthen our communities, and provide every person with the dignity of a home.”

The ceremony also featured stirring fiddle music by Tayler Fleming and a special musical performance by Leonard Sumner, who shared his personal journey of overcoming houselessness. The event was guided by MC Lisa Meeches, who facilitated a seamless flow of cultural and ceremonial elements.

Letters of greeting from leaders emphasized the need for collective action. Premier Wab Kinew called for systemic change through Indigenous-led initiatives, while Minister Bernadette Smith highlighted the importance of community-driven solutions. Mayor Scott Gillingham reaffirmed Winnipeg’s dedication to reconciliation and equitable housing. Kyle Ross, President of MGEU, praised frontline workers for their advocacy and commitment. On behalf of Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister Dan Vandal remarked, 

This conference is more than a gathering—it is a platform for action, innovation, and shared commitment to ensuring that everyone has a safe and affordable place to call home.”

The opening ceremony brought together policymakers, frontline workers, landlords, and community members, all united in a shared commitment to coordinated action and the pursuit of a Winnipeg where everyone has access to safe and dignified housing.

Jason Whitford, CEO End Homelessness Winnipeg delivering his opening remarks, welcoming attendees to the gathering.

Bernadette Smith, Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness of Manitoba delivering her goodwill message.

Master of Ceremonies, Lisa Meeches welcoming attendees of the gathering.

A cross section of attendees of the opening ceremony.

Jean-Paul Lapointe, 4th Vice President of MGEU delivering the remarks of Kyle Ross, President MGEU.

Elder Martha Peet lighting the Qulliq at the opening ceremony.

Leonard Sumner, a lived expert, performed some moving tunes.

Tayler Fleming set the tone for the opening ceremony with fiddle music.

Photo credit: Leif Norman

Posted: Filed Under: Events

Acknowledging Truth and Working Towards Reconciliation

Join us at the WAG-Qaumajuq and Delta Hotels Winnipeg from December 3-5, 2024, in Winnipeg for the End Homelessness Together event hosted by End Homelessness Winnipeg and presented by MGEU. The event will gather sector folks, people with lived experience of homelessness, government, landlords, and businesses to find homelessness solutions. 

Download Presentations
Session & Panel Descriptions & Biographies

Event schedule includes: 

Day 1: Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024 

Download Event Program

WAG-Qaumajuq, 300 Memorial Blvd, Winnipeg

3:00pm-5:30pm

Event participants are welcome to the opening ceremony featuring cultural sharings, a conference overview, and a performance by a special musical guest. Meet other conference delegates and enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, and an artisan market featuring Indigenous makers!

Day 2: Wednesday, December 4th, 2024 

Download Wednesday Program

Delta Hotels Winnipeg, 350 St Mary Ave, Winnipeg

7:30am-4:00pm

The day will begin in a good way with traditional ceremony. Followed by a keynote address by Niigaanwewidam Sinclair then breakout sessions covering topics such as: Homelessness and Missing Persons, Intersection of Brain Injury and Colonial Systems, Workplace Trauma and Healing, Understanding the Root of Indigenous Homelessness, Data Sovereignty- Indigenous vs Colonial Data systems, Transforming Shelter Spaces, and a Tea and Bannock Series with the End Homelessness Together Elders Committee! A question and answer session with local funding agencies and government completes the day. 

Day 3: Thursday, December 5th, 2024 

Download Thursday Program

Delta Hotels Winnipeg, 350 St Mary Ave, Winnipeg

8:30am-4:00pm

More breakout sessions covering topics such as: Youth Experiences of Homelessness Through a Harm Reduction Lens, International Success Stories from Seattle and Houston, Value of Peer Engagement, and Supporting Newcomers Transition from Shelter to Permanent Housing. Professional development workshops on Stigma and Discrimination Through a Peer Lens, and Anti-Racism Training are also provided!

Are you interested in joining us? 

For more information or questions, please contact  conference@endhomelessnesswinnipeg.ca

Posted: Filed Under: Events

The Winnipeg Street Census, also known as the Point-in-Time (PiT) Count, provides a 24-hour snapshot of homelessness in the city. It involves surveying unhoused individuals and collecting data from health, corrections, and child and family services (CFS) institutions on discharges into homelessness. Additionally, it incorporates data on shelter and transitional housing stays. This year, 60 communities across Canada will participate in the PiT Count.

Why the PiT Count Matters

The data collected from the PiT Count is vital for understanding the needs of those experiencing homelessness. It helps improve policies and programs intended to prevent and address homelessness in Winnipeg. Consistent methodology over time also enables the tracking of trends in homelessness. Moreover, the PiT Count report serves as a powerful advocacy tool, supporting calls for increased government investment in homelessness prevention and reduction. Many social service organizations reference the report when applying for funding.

Some communities use the PiT Count to update their By-Name-List, which tracks homelessness inflows and outflows. Winnipeg may explore this option in the future.

Methodological Changes for 2024

This year, the PiT Count will take place over four days, from November 6th to 9th, allowing us to reach more individuals. We are increasing our reliance on outreach teams, who have established strong relationships with the unhoused, reducing the need for extensive volunteer training. To better represent under-represented groups, we are hosting two magnet events in collaboration with MANSO, the Welcome Place, and other newcomer-serving agencies to engage more newcomers.

Base Sites and Coordination

The PiT Count will operate from four base sites: Thunderbird House, End Homelessness Winnipeg, The Link, and Mount Carmel Clinic. Volunteers and outreach teams will collect their survey package from these locations. Each site will have a coordinator to assist and guide the teams throughout the Count.

Volunteer Training

To ensure survey consistency, we have organized six in-person training sessions for over 230 volunteers. A few more training sessions are being organized for sector staff, including outreach teams.

Measures to Prevent Multiple Counting

We have implemented strategies to reduce the likelihood of multiple counting, including training surveyors to screen out participants who have been surveyed already and offering extra honoraria to deter individuals from completing multiple surveys. We will also identify and remove duplicate surveys using respondents’ demographic information.

Key Insights from the 2022 PiT Count

The 2022 PiT Count revealed significant findings:

  • Indigenous peoples represented 75% of the unhoused population and were less likely to access shelters due to perceived discrimination.
  • More than half of the participants had prior CFS involvement, with 92.3% identifying as Indigenous.
  • Educational attainment was linked to homelessness, with over half of the participants lacking a high school diploma.
  • Many cited low income as a primary cause of homelessness, despite over half receiving Employment and Income Assistance (EIA), highlighting the inadequacy of EIA support.

These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions to address the root causes of homelessness in Winnipeg.

The Winnipeg Street Census is funded by Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy.

For more information, please contact streetcensus@endhomelessnesswinnipeg.ca