Mayor Colleen Smook is part of a delegation in Houston, Texas to learn about that community’s successful strategy to address homelessness.

Also from Thompson are Andrea Hatley, the Reaching Home homelessness funding co-ordinator and Kelvin Lynxleg, Executive Director of MKO North.

Housing, Addictions and Homelessness Minister Bernadette Smith is leading the delegation.

It also includes community representatives from Brandon and Winnipeg, Metis and Indigenous-led organizations from Manitoba, and community organizations like the Main Street Project.

Delegates will learn about Houston’s collaborative homeless response, visit the Coalition for the Homeless’ Housing Navigation Center and meet with community organizations working on the ground.

Houston’s approach to ending homelessness has reduced numbers in the city by more than 60 per cent and moved over 32-thousand people off the streets and into homes.