Siloam Mission asks city for millions to help it expand

Winnipeg's downtown shelter asked the city for $4 million Fridayto allow it to move ahead with some ambitious expansion plans.

Siloam CEOFloydPerrastold city officials altogether the project will cost more than$30 million.

He saidthe plans include two new structures: onea four-storey building for administrative services and a nine-storey complex of apartment-like units.

"We're looking to add 160 units of housing for people that have experienced homelessness or are at risk of experiencing homelessness, as well as to expand our front line services centre," he said.

Perras said the expansion means people will not have to wait outsidewhile lining up for food or other services at the Mission.

"We're very excited about it,"Perrassaid. "What we do want to provide is a place where people don't have to stand out in the cold."

Perras said the shelter hopes some of thefunding will come from the province, but that the shelter also plans to fundraise fromthe private sector and private citizens.

He said heis already in talks with the province about the project.

The shelter has been quietly buying land around its Princess Street location for years in anticipation of the expansion.