Nilus gently places his hand atop a frosted pumpkin, a makeshift ornament outside the makeshift dwelling he’s called home for the past quarter of a year.
“All set for Halloween,” he jests.
However, a premature plunge into wintry conditions in the heart of Manitoba has rendered living conditions for Nilus exceptionally challenging, and he’s far from being the only one suffering. The biting cold has unleashed a host of problems for Winnipeg’s homeless citizens.
“Already a week’s gone by, it’s growing colder, and my only desire is a heated establishment to take refuge in,” he lamented.
Available space in Winnipeg’s homeless shelters is dwindling rapidly as plummeting temperatures trigger a surge in the need for refuge.
Siloam Mission typically boasts 143 beds. However, CEO Tessa Blakie Whitecloud confesses they are stretched to full capacity.
“Undeniably, the sudden onset of icy weather has accelerated the filling up of our men’s segment,” she noted. “As far as our women’s section goes, it’s been maxed out almost throughout the two years of my tenure here.”
This quandary has left Nilus contemplating his next course of shelter.
Siloam Mission is fervently collaborating with its affiliates in the field to ensure the bed distribution amongst the needy, possibly shifting resources from one facility to another.
“We’re also contemplating the next plan of action when we reach absolute capacity. We’re not quite there yet, but we’re inching dangerously close,” added Blakie Whitecloud.
If no beds are accessible, Siloam Mission liaises with other shelters in its network to secure a spot for the homeless individual, and subsequently guarantees their transportation to the shelter.
Blakie Whitecloud reiterates that this crisis recurs annually when inclement weather strikes. This cycle is why she firmly believes a more sustainable solution is paramount.
“If we employed foresight and constructed the necessary units in our city, we could potentially eradicate homelessness instead of resorting to temporary winter fixes.”
That’s precisely what Nilus yearns for – a secure and affordable dwelling he can rightfully call home.
“I simply desire a cozy nook I can label as my own,” he shared.
