Innovative Housing Initiative to promote Stability, Independence for the Homeless

April 23, 2010

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA—An innovative new housing initiative, developed with the support of three levels of government at the Main Street site of the former Bell Hotel, will promote stability and independence for individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

The Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Democratic Reform), on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development; the Honourable Kerri Irvin-Ross, Minister of Housing and Community Development for Manitoba; and His Worship Sam Katz, Mayor of Winnipeg, today announced support of more than $6.16 million for the development of 42 units of supportive housing for individuals experiencing homelessness.

“Our government is giving a hand-up to Canadians with housing needs and is helping those seeking to break free of the cycle of homelessness and poverty,” said Minister of State Fletcher. “Through this partnership, we will be able to develop a supportive housing complex with support services to assist those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.”

“We are taking every measure to reach out to the people who have experienced chronic homelessness,” said Minister Irvin-Ross. “There is much evidence from other jurisdictions that these types of initiatives can assist in decreasing emergency room visits, hospital bed utilization, and mental health symptoms, and increasing residential stability, independence and empowerment.”

“Providing a safe and welcoming place to call home, along with access to key community-based services, will give those who have felt they’ve had nowhere to go with a strong sense of hope for a new start in life,” said Mr. Mike Pagtakhan, Point Douglas Ward Councillor. “This project provides hope, and the City of Winnipeg is very pleased to support this important initiative.”

The Government of Manitoba’s HOMEWorks! Program is providing up to $2.5 million, and the federal government’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy is providing $2.75 million, toward the capital construction of this project. CentreVenture is contributing the land and the building at an estimated value of $515,000. The remaining amount of $415,000 will be provided through private fundraising and potentially the new Downtown Residential Development Grant.

The Bell project involves the redevelopment of the former Bell Hotel, located at 662 Main Street, and will include common and office space on the main floor and in the basement. Six of the units will be fully accessible. 

The conversion plan also incorporates space for service programming and other support initiatives that are designed to work with residents to maintain a stable tenancy.

Through Manitoba’s Long-Term Housing Strategy, HOMEWorks!, the Province of Manitoba and the Government of Canada are contributing $327 million over two years for housing initiatives in Winnipeg and across the province. Manitoba is contributing $227 million, and the federal contribution is close to $100 million. The investment is part of HOMEWorks!, a long-term strategy and two-year plan to create stronger communities through housing solutions. More information about the strategy is available at www.manitoba.ca/housing.

An investment of almost $60 million included in Budget 2010 will allow for the construction of social and affordable housing, which are key components of Manitoba Moving Forward, the Province’s five-year economic plan, as well as the ALL Aboard poverty reduction strategy.

In September 2008, our government invested more than $1.9 billion in housing and homelessness over five years. This ongoing funding ensures that the Government can continue to assist people who are homeless and those at risk of homelessness—including low-income Canadians, seniors, people with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal people in need of support.

Canada’s Economic Action Plan is building on these investments by making an additional one‑time investment of more than $2 billion over two years in new and existing social housing, and by making available up to $2 billion in loans to Canadian municipalities over two years for housing‑related infrastructure improvements. The Government’s investments are creating jobs, stimulating local economies and improving the quality of life for many Canadians. To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

The availability of safe and stable housing and related supports is an important element in addressing homelessness and helping individuals who are homeless achieve greater self‑sufficiency and a better quality of life. The Homelessness Partnering Strategy emphasizes longer‑term supportive and transitional housing by focusing on a housing‑first approach to help people make the transition out of the cycle of homelessness.

For more information on the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/homelessness.



Backgrounder

Funding Information

Homelessness Partnering Strategy:
The Government of Canada’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) is a unique community‑based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness by providing direct support and funding to 61 communities across Canada. The HPS took effect April 1, 2007, with annual funding of $134.8 million for two years, and was extended in 2008 for a further two years until March 31, 2011.

The HPS provides structures and supports that help people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless achieve self-sufficiency and full participation in society. This model seeks to address homelessness by working in partnership with the provinces and territories, other federal departments, as well as with communities and the private and non-profit sectors.

By working with all our partners, we will maximize results to make a lasting difference in the lives of vulnerable Canadians. The Homelessness Partnering Strategy provides the support that our community partners are seeking.

The Homelessness Partnering Strategy uses a housing-first approach, recognizing that the first step is to provide individuals with transitional and supportive housing.

The HPS has seven funding streams:

Regionally Delivered:

• Designated Communities
• Outreach Communities
• Aboriginal Communities

Nationally Delivered:

• Federal Horizontal Pilot Projects
• Homelessness Knowledge Development
• Homeless Individuals and Families Information System 
• Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative

For more information on the Homelessness Partnering Strategy and the seven funding streams, please visit the following Web site: www.hrsdc.gc.ca/homelessness.


Winnipeg Housing and Homelessness Initiative:
The Winnipeg Housing and Homelessness Initiative (WHHI) is a partnership between the Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg. The partners work together to provide funding for affordable housing, to address homelessness, and to assist in the revitalization of Winnipeg’s older neighbourhoods by providing rehabilitation and repair loans. The WHHI is a single-window office for community organizations and service providers to apply for housing and homelessness funding and to access information on government-funded housing and homelessness programs. For more information, visit www.whhi.ca.


Canada-wide Program Extensions:
In September 2008, the Government of Canada announced a $1.9-billion commitment for housing and homelessness, which extended the Affordable Housing Initiative and the renovation programs for low-income households for five years. In Manitoba, these initiatives are jointly funded by the federal and provincial governments through contributions totalling over $34 million for the next two years.

Canada’s Economic Action Plan:
The Government of Canada has allocated $79 million in Manitoba under Canada’s Economic Action Plan as part of a two-year national investment of more than $2 billion to build new and renovate existing social housing in Canada. The Province will also contribute $79 million for these initiatives over the next two years. For more information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, call 1 800 O-Canada.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation:
To find out more about how the Government of Canada is working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, contact the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation at 1‑800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan.

HOMEWorks!:
In April 2007, the Province of Manitoba unveiled HOUSING First, a four-pillar, $188-million, low‑income housing strategy including HOMEWorks!—a $104.5-million initiative to help provide affordable homes for low-income Manitobans in five areas that were identified by stakeholders, in order to build a stronger foundation for healthy families and communities. The priorities include: inner‑city revitalization; older Manitobans; urban Aboriginal people; northern Manitobans; and homeless Manitobans. For more information, please visit www.gov.mb.ca/housing/index.html.

Winnipeg Housing Rehabilitation Corporation:
The Winnipeg Housing Rehabilitation Corporation (WHRC) was founded by the City of Winnipeg in the late 1970s. WHRC is a non-profit organization that develops and manages affordable housing in Winnipeg. During the last three decades, WHRC has developed over 700 housing units for Winnipeg residents. The organization’s housing projects include renovated warehouses, apartment buildings, single family homes, duplexes and triplexes. WHRC’s focus has been on the revitalization of Winnipeg’s inner-city neighbourhoods. For more information about WHRC and its programs, please visit www.whrc.ca or call 204-949-2880.