Bitter cold has Winnipeggers looking for housing, supporting those in need

Even in the biting cold, Lawrence Corbiere spends his days outside by choice, but he knows some of the vulnerable people he meets in Winnipeg's inner city don't have the same option. 

"My fingertips nearly froze a couple times. But I've seen a guy, he lost all his fingertips because they froze."

Corbiere has a home, but drops into the Lighthouse Mission and Siloam Mission to pick up lunch or warm up while picking up litter in the area.

He walks Main Street, dressed in orange clothing and carrying a bucket to dispose of the garbage he finds. He feels the blustery cold of one of winter's most frigid days in his hands.

"It's pretty hard. It's pretty cold," Corbiere said on Friday, while adjusting the cap that a gust of wind blew off his head moments ago. 

"If I was a millionaire, or if I was rich, I would buy a warehouse … keep the [unhoused] warm, get them off the street."

After weeks of milder temperatures, a sustained deep freeze is prompting Winnipeg's homeless shelters to work together to help people escape the cold. 

Lighthouse Mission, which gives out warm clothing and food, is expecting a spike in demand for their services. The organization refers people needing somewhere sleep to other organizations with the necessary accommodations.

"Our strength is our connection to the other agencies that do have overnight shelters," director Peter McMullen said.

"We connect with them, especially when there's individuals who are really having a tough time and maybe they just can't figure out how to do it on their own."

WATCH | Winnipeg shelters strive to help those in need: 

People trying to stay in Winnipeg shelters say overnight space is hard to find right now.

Siloam Mission, Salvation Army and others at capacity have been sending people in need to Main Street Project or wherever there might be beds, according to the centres. Late Saturday, few available beds remained at N'Dinawemak, at 190 Disraeli.

"Sometimes you go down to the hotels at Sutherland [Avenue] and people that have nothing, we're all supporting each other with simple things like bread and getting what we need," said Cassandra Sohor, who has struggled to access overnight shelter.