'A stretch of resources': Winnipeg shelters feeling impact from increase in asylum seekers
A growing number of asylum seekers is putting pressure on Winnipeg’s already strained shelter system.
The Salvation Army Winnipeg Centre of Hope is among the organizations seeing an increase.
“On a daily basis, we have around 120 refugee claimants that are staying in the building,” said executive director Mark Stewart. “That’s men, women and children staying within our family shelter.”
While they haven’t turned anyone away yet, Stewart said the influx is raising concerns about capacity and the ability to keep up with demand.
“We’re doing our best,” he said.
Last fall, the organization added 60 beds to help accommodate more refugees.
“We thought that 60 would be enough,” Stewart said. “But then again, today, we're sitting at 120, which puts our capacity in our building of just over 420 people a day."
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, along with the Canada Border Services Agency, processed 185 asylum claimants in Manitoba in January 2024, which is five times higher than the number processed at the same time last year.
“They are people who are coming here, the refugee status is still not determined, and they have no other place to go, they have nowhere to go," said Reuben Garang, executive director of Immigration Partnership Winnipeg.
With nowhere to go, advocates said people are turning to already overwhelmed spaces.
"There are people that are on the streets that need those shelters,” Garang said. “And so having newcomers come in and go into the shelters is already a stretch of resources."
Some of the strained resources include education and employment services, offered by organizations such as the Needs Centre.
"We've seen like a huge increase of refugee claimants registering for our services, which is great, but we just need to make sure that we have the appropriate, staffing and skills to be able to meet their unique needs," said Ryan Croy with the centre.
Unique needs and unique circumstances can make settling more difficult for refugees and support staff.
"It’s always tricky for the agencies, because they are navigating like really difficult criteria in terms of what they're eligible for," said Emily Halldorson with the Manitoba Association of Newcomer Serving Organizations.
And while they’re waiting for documentation, asylum seekers are also waiting for affordable housing.
"I think that building more emergency shelter is not helping the structural issues that exist," Stewart said.
Housing Minister Bernadette Smith said the province is working to improve the level of affordable housing for asylum seekers.
"We’ve been working with municipalities, as well as our federal partners to address some of our housing needs here in our province," she said.
CTV News Winnipeg has reached out to the federal government for comment, and is awaiting a response.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'There's mom and dad's house': New video appears to show destruction of Jasper neighbourhood
Video posted to social media on Thursday morning appears to show the charred remains of a Jasper, Alta., neighbourhood.
LIVE NOW Multiple homes, businesses 'lost' to wildfire in Jasper National Park: Parks Canada
Officials from Parks Canada and Jasper say "multiple structures, including a number of businesses and homes, in and around the town of Jasper, have been lost" to wildfire in Jasper National Park.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
Jennifer Aniston criticizes JD Vance for 'childless cat ladies' remarks: 'I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children'
Jennifer Aniston is criticizing JD Vance for comments he made in his past about women without children.
WATCH LIVE Alberta premier says a third, perhaps half, of all Jasper buildings destroyed by fire
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says early reports indicate a third and perhaps up to half of all buildings in the historic Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper have been destroyed in a wildfire.
NASA says no return date yet for astronauts and Boeing capsule at space station
Already more than a month late getting back, two NASA astronauts will remain at the International Space Station until engineers finish working on problems plaguing their Boeing capsule, officials said Thursday.
'Skibidi Toilet:' If you don't know what it is, you will
'Skibidi Toilet' is already an internet sensation and now its about to get even more exposure after the YouTube series is being developed for TV and film, according to a report by Variety.
French sprinter will wear a cap during Olympic opening ceremony after hijab dispute is resolved
French sprinter Sounkamba Sylla will be allowed to participate in the opening ceremony at the Paris Olympics wearing a cap to cover her hair, an agreement reached with the French Olympic Committee after Sylla said she was barred because of her hijab.
Spicy dispute over the origins of Flamin' Hot Cheetos winds up in court
A former PepsiCo executive is suing the company, saying it destroyed his career after questioning his claim that he invented the popular flavor of Cheetos snacks.