Governments commit to affordable housing and supportive services for new Canadians

September 25, 2009

Winnipeg – The Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg are partnering on a joint investment to create new affordable housing for new Canadians.  Working with support agencies this investment will help new Canadians get settled in their new lives.

All three levels of government are supporting the construction of a new, 25,000 square foot apartment complex and settlement service facility for newly arrived Government Assisted Refugees, called Welcome Place Reception House. The facility boasts a flexible design that will allow for different sized suites depending on the number of refugees requiring accommodation.

The Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Democratic Reform), and Member of Parliament for Charleswood–St. James–Assiniboia, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Gord Mackintosh, Minister of Family Services and Housing, and Mike Pagtakhan, City of Winnipeg Councillor for Point Douglas made the announcement at a sod turning ceremony today.

The Government of Canada is working to provide Canadians a hand up so they can one day join in the Canadian dream and own their own home,” said Minister Fletcher. “Through this investment, Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council will be able to help refugees and new immigrants who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless achieve self-sufficiency and full participation in society.

“Manitoba recognizes the importance of supporting new Canadians and there’s nothing more important than having a safe, affordable place to live,” said Minister Mackintosh.  “Today’s announcement demonstrates that when governments work together, and involve the community we can make great things happen.”

Today’s announcement includes more than $3 million in shared funding under the Province of Manitoba’s HOMEWorks program, and the Federal Government through the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) and the City of Winnipeg. The top three floors of the new building will have 23 units that will be designed so they can be modified to suit different family sizes funded through the Province of Manitoba. Homelessness Partnering Strategy investment of $703,000 will be used towards the construction costs of the support service facility on the main floor of the building to be located at 519 Bannatyne Avenue in Winnipeg.  In addition, Seed Funding of $20,000 was provided by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to assist the housing proponents in the early stages of developing the affordable housing project.

The Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council (MIIC) served more than 1,300 individual refugees or refugee families in 2007 and has outgrown its current facilities. Combining housing and supportive services in one location will enable MIIC to provide efficient delivery of urgent need services and support services to their clients to assist them in moving towards autonomy and self−sufficiency. Support services to include orientation to Canada, counselling, education, life skills, settlement services, volunteer services, etc.
The total cost of the project is estimated to be $4.4 million and construction is expected to start this fall, and be ready to take new residents in spring 2010.

These investments are part of the Government of Canada’s $1.9-billion investment in housing and homelessness for low-income Canadians.  As part of this investment the Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI) the renovation programs for low-income households and Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) have been extended. In Manitoba, these initiatives are jointly funded by the federal and provincial governments through contributions totaling over $34 million for the next two years. Today’s announcement is part of a $21 million federal investment and a $13 million provincial investment to build new affordable housing and assist low-income households with needed renovations to their homes.

In Winnipeg, these investments are being made through the Winnipeg Housing and Homelessness Initiative (WHHI), 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.