WINNIPEG – The provincial government says they’re launching a number of new initiatives to support vulnerable citizens who have been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Families Minister Rochelle Squires says her department has partnered with Main Street Project to provide additional beds and shelter to Manitobans who are homeless and test positive for the virus.

Squires says, while occupancy varies depending on how hard the pandemic is hitting the homeless community at any given time, 90 beds have already been added so far, and the government is committed to expanding that capacity if needed. The initiative also has the province funding three meals a day to any individuals staying there.

The province is also investing in a partnership between Manitoba Housing, Made with Love, and SSCOPE, which preps, packages, and delivers meals for low-income people who are isolating due to COVID-19 and can’t access a kitchen.

Both the Liberal party and the NDP say non-profit groups tackling food security and homelessness need far more government funding to supplement donations, and that the initiatives don’t go far enough.