Extreme cold drives up demand for supports at Winnipeg shelters
Weather warning still in place for all of southern Manitoba Monday afternoon
Shelters in Winnipeg are scrambling to figure out how to protect people experiencing homelessness as the city continues to experience bitterly cold temperatures.
An Environment Canada extreme weather warning was in effect for all of southern Manitoba as of Monday afternoon, with the federal agency forecasting wind chill values of between –40 to –45 C through the night as a cold Arctic airmass remains over the region, as well as central and southeast Saskatchewan.
Temperatures in Winnipeg dipped below –30 C through the day on Monday.
Matt Halchakar, director of operations with the Downtown Community Safety Partnership, said calls for wellness checks and for help finding people warm shelter have gone up amid all the cold.
Between three to four vehicles — including an accessible van patrolling the city — are able to respond to calls around the clock, with foot patrols checking in with people in the downtown core days and evenings, Halchakar said.
"We do check out the encampments quite regularly, especially during this weather. So we'll go in, make sure that they're staying warm enough," he said.
"When the weather hits like this … the importance is finding those people that don't know what supports are out there."
N'Dinawemak executive director Frank Parkes said some people coming to his shelter have had to be taken for hospital to get treated for severe frostbite in recent days.
The 24/7 warming space downtown, which has beds for more than 200 people, was at capacity as of Monday afternoon.
Parkes said that when they're full, they have to start turning people away.
"Many of the social [programs], hopefully they can go to them," Parkes said.
"We … know that they're going into the businesses and different places to try to warm up. You'll see them on transit buses.… It's just one of the challenges of having that limited shelter space."
N'Dinawemak usually closes in the mornings for clean-up, but Parkes said they haven't closed their doors as the deep freeze continues.
Demand for winter clothing up: Lighthouse Mission
Lighthouse Mission said the number of people coming to them for free parkas, toques and other clothing has gone up.
"If we had 500 pairs of mitts today, I'd expect them to be gone by Wednesday," said executive director Peter McMullen.
"Every now and then we'll have somebody come in and distress. Maybe their footwear is frozen or they don't have any appropriate footwear … [which] is extremely important and it's difficult for us to find."
McMullen expected to serve about 700 hot meals and as many coffees on Monday, though he added that the cold may also impact the number of people they help.
"We usually see lineups of 15, 20 minutes before. We're seeing maybe one or two people," he said.
"They're literally staying in the shelters till the last minute and a lot of the folks are just waiting till we're actually open before they come over. They just don't want to wait, and they're bundled up the best they can be."
Lighthouse Mission was one of the places Ron Abrey planned to visit on Monday, as he went around the city on foot looking for warm food and shelter.
"Sometimes you have to go warm up for five to 10 minutes where you can get warm in, so you're not stuck outside too long," Abrey, who said he does have a permanent place to stay.
"I have asthma so it takes a while to get moving a bit and clear my lungs and keep going."
Environment Canada expects the temperatures to begin moderating on Tuesday.
With files from Josh Crabb