GILLINGHAM: MAYOR’S OFFICE WILL INCLUDE SENIOR

ADVISOR ON HOMELESS & STREET SAFETY POLICIES

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Role funded from existing budget; will support Mayor and Council on key policy initiatives

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(Winnipeg) – If elected Winnipeg’s next mayor, Scott Gillingham will appoint a “Senior Advisor on

Homelessness and Street Safety” within the Mayor’s Office to help lead the City’s action on

homelessness, street safety, mental health and addictions issues.

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“Street safety, homelessness, supportive housing and other related issues have not been among the

highest priorities for everyone at City Hall in the past because they were understood to be provincial

government responsibilities, and the federal government has the lead on financing housing,” Gillingham

said in his third policy announcement on Winnipeg’s homelessness challenge. “In the 2020s, cities are

increasingly expected to show expert leadership on this challenge even when other governments are

engaged and have primary responsibility, because city governments are on the frontline,” he said.

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The new Senior Advisor will:

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• Liaise on behalf of the Mayor with City emergency services leaders, provincial and federal

officials, Indigenous governments, community agencies and non-profits to promote a citywide,

strategic approach to homelessness, street safety and mental health/addiction challenges;

• Stay updated on best practices in other cities, with regular advice to City Council;

• Support delivery of the Mayor’s policy commitments on housing and reducing homelessness;

• Offer advice to community groups seeking to navigate city rules or programs; and

• Promote common tracking and data-sharing on these issues, including offering direct support

for the End Homelessness Coalition’s homeless census.

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Another priority for the new specialist will be to encourage collaboration by all stakeholders to expand a

common, real-time database of available shelter and housing options - so city staff and first responders

can refer people without housing directly to shelters or other accommodation wherever it may be

available.

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“Winnipeg doesn’t have the resources to solve this alone,” Gillingham said. “That’s why a senior advisor

in the Mayor’s Office is needed – to help unite the Mayor, City Council and everyone working to reduce

homelessness to deliver on a shared strategy.”

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For more information: Colin Fast at (204) 803-6406 or media@voteforscott.ca

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