Bus Shack Destroyed by Fire

 

Those who follow local Winnipeg news have seen or heard of the bus shelter on Osborne and Broadway being destroyed by fire.  It, like many other bus shelters in the city, have been used as temporary shelter for members of our homeless population.  The aftermath of this fire is a tragedy.  The bus shack is essentially destroyed as well as the remains of what appear to be make-shift curtains and the belongings of atleast one, or maybe more people.  From what I know, no one was injured.  The tragedy also is that people throughout the city do not have a safe place to shelter and are needing the bus shacks to do so.  

Equally, tragic is the response to this event on social media.  Granted, many people have responded with compassionate kindness.  However, many are outraged that the homeless are occupying bus shelters.  Many think they should be kicked out.  Some are saying that as people paying for Peggo cards, that they have the right to use the bus shelter while waiting for the bus, especially in inclement weather.  Many people say that they are fearful of the people occupying the bus shelters.  Some people were utterly unkind in their response to the homeless generally.  Like, someone would chose to live in a glass bowl in the middle of a busy transit stop.  

While we were sheltering in place during the pandemic, it brought to light how many people do not have permanent shelter and were couch surfing at friends or relatives a few days at a time.  There is one thing that we can not dispute and that is that Winnipeg has a significant homeless population.  

For a city that strives to reach 1,000,000 citizens within the next four years, it is surprising that we do not have a strategy to deal with the homeless.  If we do have a strategy, then, I am not aware of it and it does not seem to be effective.  The strategy would have to involve people with lived experiences as their input.  Personally, I find it surprising that we do not have a sanctioned tent city.  I know they are not the be all and end all but there are many advantages to them that are well documented.  

Yes, this is an issue that we all need to care about.  What most do not realize is how much the homeless cost our society every year.  The strain they place on our health care system and justice system.  I just heard on the news that accidental drug overdose deaths are on track to double this year. Addiction is an issue that we just can not seem to make significant progress on.  Our social service system, including child welfare, are overwhelmed.  Essentially, poverty costs us all.  Not just a little.  A lot.  

It would be so much cheaper to provide safe and reliable shelter for those who want it.  There will always be a few who find the streets more suitable for them and that is why a sanctioned tent city is necessary.  The phrase on ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure is a saying because it is true.  Investing in prevention programs and harm reduction programs are a wise use of dollars.  

It is time to realize that we all have a stake in dealing with poverty and homelessness.  

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