By Canadian Press

Homeless shelters face added strain amid Omicron, high rates of people on streets

Jan 18, 2022 | 10:54 AM

OTTAWA — People working to help the homeless are struggling to support those living on the streets as the highly transmissible Omicron COVID-19 variant sweeps through communities.

Deirdre Freiheit, president and CEO of Shepherds of Good Hope in Ottawa, says her organization is grappling with staff shortages, the shelters and isolation centre being at full capacity, and people staying in shelters longer due to a lack of affordable housing.

Warren Maddox, executive director of Fredericton Homeless Shelters in New Brunswick, says staff are also seeing more people dealing with addiction — largely to crystal meth — as well as more complex and acute mental health issues.

The Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness and health leaders released a statement on Friday calling on governments to support the growing number of people facing homelessness and the staff straining to meet the need.

Tim Richter, president of the alliance, says it is hearing that front-line shelters and homeless agencies across the country are “completely overwhelmed” due to staffing shortages and lack of funding to meet the demand for shelter.

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The office of Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 18, 2022.

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This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship.

The Canadian Press