WINNIPEG – Main Street Project has opened its long-anticipated 120-bed shelter at the old Mitchell Fabrics building in downtown Winnipeg. Staff say the newly-renovated building will provide a dignified place to access services for far more guests than the previous MSP location, even as public health orders require physical distancing measures.

The 637 Main St location provides over 3,300 square meters of space – 17 times more than their previous facilities at 75 Martha St. Once the pandemic has passed and the distancing measures are lifted, it’s expected that they’ll be able to accommodate even more.

The space on Martha St had provided refuge for 60 to 70 people in 210 square meters for years. In an announcement provided through the federal Families, Children, and Social Development office, Main Street Project Director of Transitional Housing Adrienne Dudek says the expansion was necessary not only as a response to homelessness but for the safety of the community during the ongoing pandemic, with strategies to increase accommodation capacity to meet physical distancing needs and distribute personal protective equipment.

The shelter’s opening had initially been scheduled for earlier this year, but challenges with renovation caused some delays.