Accessible housing aimed at assisting Indigenous peoples and women and their children fleeing from domestic abuse will begin popping up throughout Winnipeg.

The Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg have announced that four local housing projects will receive funding support through Round 3 of the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI).

  • Manitoba Metis Federation – Mazoun Infinitii Pakoshayimoohk (Mazoun) "Infinity House of Hope" project at 292-298 Edison Avenue. Awarded $5,836,500 for the construction of 14 units of transitional housing for Indigenous youth aging out of care.
  • Wahbung Abinoonjiaag – Awarded $1,366,303 for the development of 26 units of transitional housing, targeting Indigenous women and their children.
  • University of Winnipeg Community Renewal Corporation (UWCRC) 2.0 – Project located at 454 Edmonton Street. Awarded $6,110,000 for the development of 11 units of transitional housing for women and children who have experienced gender-based violence.
  • Spence Neighbourhood Association – Project at 429 Sherbrook and 446 Langside. Awarded $1,850,832.40 to develop three units at each location, for a total of six units of transitional housing for youth experiencing homelessness.

The Government of Canada is offering $11,631,916 in funding and the Province of Manitoba is offering $5.19 million in funding for these projects. Additionally, both properties being developed as part of the Spence Neighbourhood Association project are City-owned lands being transferred over at no additional cost.

"Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home," says Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Canadian Minister of Housing, Diversity and Inclusion. "Through the Rapid Housing Initiative, we are quickly providing new affordable housing units for people who need them most, right across Canada, including right here in Winnipeg. By working closely with our partners to create more affordable housing that meets the needs of Canadians, our government is continuing to deliver meaningful results for Canadians. This is one of the many ways our National Housing Strategy continues to ensure no one is left behind."

These projects will prioritize accessible housing for Indigenous peoples and women with their children fleeing from violence for Round 3 of the RHI. These populations are more at risk for experiencing homelessness, and having them as a target population will provide an opportunity to mitigate the risk.

"Finding and retaining housing for vulnerable Manitobans is a complex challenge that requires collaboration across all levels of governments and community partners," says Rochelle Squires, Manitoba Families Minister. "This funding in support of these projects is the first capital funding from the Provincial Homelessness Strategy. Together we can advance our goal of ending homelessness, as set out in our Homelessness Strategy, A Place for Everyone."

The Government of Manitoba has participated in proposal reviews in all three rounds of the RHI. Through Manitoba Housing, the Province is a critical provider of social services in Manitoba and partners with other governments, community organizations, and private groups to help create safe and affordable housing in Manitoba.

On February 28, 2023, the Government of Manitoba released A Place for Everyone, A Collaborative Homelessness Strategy for Manitoba. Further information on the strategy can be found at Province of Manitoba – Developing Manitoba’s Homelessness Strategy.

Through the two previous intakes of the Rapid Housing Initiative, the City had disbursed a total of $25 million in support of local housing projects. These projects have accounted for the creation of 134 new housing units in Winnipeg.

"Creating new housing opportunities for our most vulnerable citizens is a top priority, and this partnership continues to deliver results," says Mayor Scott Gillingham. "This round of the RHI is not only funding 57 new housing units across four projects, but it's helping us build a pipeline of several other interested applicants we can work with to explore future opportunities for support."