25 users of the Thompson Homeless Shelter are being housed in the YWCA dormitories to help with social distancing measures during the pandemic.

 

The City of Thompson’s newsletter, The Northern, states the individuals were relocated yesterday morning, and were chosen based on their elevated risk such as age and medical risk.

 

The YWCA has set aside an area specifically for shelter users, and they have been screened for temperature and recent history when they arrived at the building.

 

The YWCA is providing food, and those who are staying at the facility are encouraged to remain near the building during the provincial public health orders.

 

The city has been inspecting the Polaris six building as a long-term plan to house people experiencing homelessness in Thompson, but the structure would need extensive repairs before it can be used.

 

The city, the Thompson Homeless Shelter, and the Community Advisory Board on Homelessness are looking for other options for pandemic-safe housing.

 

Additionally, MKO and KTC have applied for additional COVID-19 specific funding for support projects for vulnerable people in the north.

 

The newsletter says housing provided by the YWCA is being funded entirely through the Reaching Home strategy to address homelessness, and MKO has donated hygiene hampers for the homeless residents being housed at the building.