Laying the foundation: A framework for the creation of homeless shelter standards in Winnipeg

Architectural constructs are said to reflect human values and culture. If true, then the urban, homeless shelter stands as a reflection of social and political indifference, and a lack of imagination in addressing the complex issue of homelessness. A historical review of this topic indicates that the conditions within shelters have changed little since the days of the Elizabethan Poor Laws. In modern urban society, the emergency homeless shelter remains the predominant response to growing rates of homelessness. Homeless shelters are often poorly and inconsistently funded, and struggle to provide even the most basic of shelter needs. Conditions within shelters for the most part are not regulated in most jurisdictions and there are no standards to guide the physical design and/or service delivery. Social policy critics argue that this approach not only serves to maintain the status quo but also often worsens the situation for those with the greatest housing need and fewest options. In recent years small but promising strides have been made in regards to improving shelter conditions in some Canadian communities through the establishment of shelter standards. The purpose of standards is to improve the physical and emotional wellbeing of clients, promote better service delivery, and where possible support clients toward independence and ease the stigmatizing effect of shelters on both clients and host communities. Through the use of comparative analysis and community consultations this practicum has explored the possibility of creating, implementing and enforcing homeless shelter standards in Winnipeg. A central focus of this research has been to consider not only how standards would benefit shelters, their clients and the community at large but also the critical processes by which standards could be established. Although the culmination of this research has been the development of a framework specific to Winnipeg, it can be adapted to any community wanting to improve the conditions within homeless shelters.