Siloam Mission has a bold vision to tackle poverty and homelessness in Winnipeg over the next five years.
Vision 500 was announced Thursday during a breakfast event at the Winnipeg Convention Centre with 320 community leaders from the business, nonprofit, academic, hospital and government sectors.
Siloam’s vision calls for the building of 500 homes and creation of 500 employment opportunities in the next five years for those less fortunate in the inner-city.
“We believe housing and jobs will stabilize Winnipeg’s inner city, and in turn stimulate economic development. We know it worked in Portland, and we know it will work in Winnipeg,” said Floyd Perras, executive director of Siloam Mission.
Siloam brought in guest speaker Richard Harris from Portland, Oregon, who has served as addictions and mental health director for the State of Oregon for more than three years, and spent 15 years as the CEO of Central City Concern.
“Revitalizing our core area through employment-training and affordable housing is not only compassionate, it’s also good for business and good for our city. We think the only way to get there is for the social sector and the business sector to work together, and we’re open to all partnerships. It will take all of us to make our inner city thrive.”
Siloam recently opened The Madison to provide housing for the city’s homeless population.
