Street Links says program is freeing up hospital beds [Video]

Henry Owens has no where to call home, and he’s waiting for heart surgery.

“My valves are clogged up,” said Owens.

A room he’s sitting in looks like one you’d find in a hospital, but it’s not.

Owens is currently staying at 604 St. Mary’s Road, a building that houses a 24/7 safe space run by St. Boniface Street Links.

“They’re looking for my place right now, these people, for me to stay. I’m thankful for them to help me out.” 

There are 20 transitional beds here for patients who either go to the hospital homeless, or lose their homes while in hospital. Street Links executive director Marion Willis said those patients are sent here.

“These are folks that couldn’t be discharged to main stream shelters, they’ve got some ongoing medical needs,” said Willis.

Home care workers come in to provide care, and even a few doctors have checked in. At the same time, her organization lines …