A patch of grass in Point Douglas that was covered in tents just days ago is vacant Saturday night. A group of homeless people camping there for weeks have picked up and moved on.
It’s not clear who exactly told them they had to leave.
Michell has been living on the streets of Winnipeg for about five years. For two weeks, she and about 15 others have been calling a grassy patch of city property on the corner of Austin Street and Henry Avenue home.
But she said they can't stay there anymore. “The cops keep coming and taking our tents down and telling us to go away,” she said as she was gathering her belongings.
Winnipeg police said telling these people to leave was not their policy in this situation.
“Our goal ultimately at this point has been to ensure that these individuals remain safe, to ensure no criminal activity is occurring because ultimately we would have to react to that situation,” said Jason Michalyshen.
Michell said she is moving her tent to an area near the river where she plans to stay, until she is forced to move again.
She would prefer to have an actual roof over her head, but said that isn't possible right now.
"It's really hard to get Manitoba Housing and you only get $287 from welfare for rent," she said.
Many people living on the street are dealing with mental health issues, addictions and other problems, and finding stable housing can often be a first step towards addressing those issues.
"It's been proven that when people have housing it does help them stabilize and make changes and gains in other parts of their life," said Marianne Cerilli of the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg.
Michell said there aren't enough shelters in Winnipeg. "They only have room for so many people. We need more shelters, more low income housing and better welfare rates. That's what we need."
Cerilli agrees. "The situation is dire,” she said.
“The vacancy rate is incredibly low at the low end of the rental market so it's very difficult."
According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Coproration, the vacancy rate in Winnipeg for rentals costing less than $500 per month is 1.3 per cent.
- With a report by Ben Miljure
