KLEIN: Investing in the future by fighting homelessness in Winnipeg

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As a mayoral candidate for the City of Winnipeg, I believe that addressing homelessness is not only a moral imperative, but an important investment in the future of our city. It is time for our government to rethink its approach, not just handouts and adopt comprehensive strategies that provide long-term solutions.

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Currently, our government is distributing several million dollars to various groups, more or less as grants, without a coherent plan. This fragmented approach has led to inefficiencies and lack of coordination among service providers. We have three or four “lesson patrols” scattered across the city, but they barely scratch the surface of the underlying issues that contribute to homelessness.

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When it comes to tackling homelessness, it's critical to shift our mindset and start thinking about “return on investment” (ROI). Throwing money at a problem without a strategic plan is like putting a band-aid on an open wound.

It emerged this week that Mark Chipman is considering investing in transitional housing for people facing serious life challenges. Chipman recognizes the people and the potential return on investment in such downtown initiatives — a prospect often overlooked by elected officials. It is critical for elected officials to adopt a similar mindset and prioritize investment in comprehensive solutions.

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That's why when I ran for office, I committed to declaring a state of emergency for Winnipeg's homeless. We need bold and proactive measures to tackle this crisis head on. One innovative solution I propose is to repurpose trailers often used in northern mining and oil camps as temporary shelters for the homeless.

By purchasing these trailers and strategically placing them where public support services are easily accessible, we can provide housing for people experiencing homelessness. Each trailer is equipped with a lock and key, offering a sense of security and privacy. Plus, it gives residents something most people take for granted: a real mailing address. Having a permanent address is an important step in helping people get off the streets and into a stable housing situation.

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It is disappointing to see that promises made by other candidates, such as Wab Kinev's campaign pledge to end homelessness within a year, have seen little substantive action. Spending more than $2 million on a controlled injection site is not the solution – it does not address the root causes of homelessness, and treatment is the only answer.

We cannot rely on small handouts to groups that do not work together toward a common goal. It is time to bring all stakeholders to the table and forge partnerships that will make our efforts more efficient and effective.

Investing millions in building necessary infrastructure like permanent supportive housing is not just the right thing to do, it's the smart thing to do. These investments will pay dividends socially and economically in the long run.

Over the past decade, increased funding for specialty groups in the form of grants has coincided with annual increases in our homeless population. It is clear that our current method is not working. We need to take a strategic and holistic approach to tackling homelessness in Winnipeg.

— Kevin Klein is a former Tory cabinet minister, former city councilor and former publisher of the Winnipeg Sun.

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