'People do not need to be in tents in winter,' says P.E.I. housing minister

The P.E.I. government will find suitable shelter, with a fixed roof, for anyone who calls its shelter support line, provincial Housing Minister Rob Lantz said while reacting to news of a Summerside group offering ice-fishing tents.

The Village, a housing advocacy group in that city, is looking for a property to create a tent encampment for people who can't find affordable housing that fits their needs.

The group has already purchased 26 ice-fishing tents.

The province is not collaborating or coordinating with The Village in any way, Lantz said in an interview on Tuesday.

"I know they have very good intentions," he said, adding: "We know that tent encampments are not ideal. We've seen a lot of fire and safety concerns with tent encampments all around the country."

The province will both provide the shelter and pay transportation costs to the nearest shelter with available space, Lantz said. That sometimes will require transportation outside of the caller's home community.

The province's shelter support line (1-833-220-4722) is operated 24/7.

Miscommunication blamed

There was an incident over the weekend in which a man looking for shelter was told he would have to find his way to the shelter on his own. The Village says it ended up providing the required transportation.

Lantz said he was aware of the incident, calling it the result of a miscommunication. The province will pay for transportation, and there has been no change in policy, he said.

"Anybody that calls the shelter support line will be put in suitable housing," he said. "I can't stress that enough. People do not need to be in tents in the winter."

The province's plans for a 10-bed emergency shelter in Summerside are on track for April, said Lantz. An operator for the shelter will be chosen in the next three weeks.

There are two shelters in Summerside. One offers transitional housing for women and children, and the Winter Street Shelter offers a-low barrier option for men.