Manitoba GovernmentThe Manitoba Government has announced C$5.7 of new funding shemes for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless over the winter months and beyond.
Support will be made available in two phases, with more than C$2.8 million set aside initially for supportive housing with wraparound care in up to 250 rental units from Manitoba Housing, and non-profit and private market rentals (with rent supplements) in Winnipeg, Brandon, Swan River and Portage la Prairie.
Phase Two initiatives will provide tailored support to women and LGBTQ2SIA+ people as part of a province-wide plan to place people experiencing homelessness on a path to permanent housing.
Planning is being led by a new collaborative action circle co-chaired by the province’s Housing, Addictions and Homelessness Minister, Bernadette Smith and Carol McCorrister, mobile crisis team lead at the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (which represents 34 Anishinaabe and Dakota Nations in southern Manitoba.)
Agencies, and community and government organizations participating in the collaborative action circle include End Homelessness Winnipeg, Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, Sunshine House, Ka Ni Kanichihk, Southern Chiefs’ Organization, Mount Carmel Clinic and Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre. Consultations with other organisations are ongoing.
Homelessness is a multi-faceted issue at the intersection of poverty, trauma, discrimination, mental health and addictions in a time of low-vacancy rates and soaring housing costs.
Smith comments: “Homelessness is a multi-faceted issue at the intersection of poverty, trauma, discrimination, mental health and addictions in a time of low-vacancy rates and soaring housing costs.
“We are committed to working with all levels of government to address the significant need to build more social and affordable housing with a full range of supports to keep people housed.
“Our government has a simple goal and an immense task – ending chronic homelessness in Manitoba. We can only solve this collaboratively with all levels of government and the community organizations tirelessly supporting unsheltered relatives, no matter their circumstance.”
Jason Whitford, CEO of End Homelessness Winnipeg, adds: “These investments reflect a resolute commitment and rapid action in addressing critical needs.
“Recent events underscore the urgency to prioritize support, especially for Indigenous women, highlighting the invaluable contribution of our diverse community-based organizations in meeting these challenges with co-ordinated care and compassion.”
The initiatives follow a consultation exercise in November and December which received input from multiple agencies and Indigenous governments on how best to assist unsheltered Manitobans over the winter – with particular emphasis on women, children and gender-diverse people.
Recent events underscore the urgency to prioritize support, especially for Indigenous women, highlighting the invaluable contribution of our diverse community-based organizations in meeting these challenges with co-ordinated care and compassion.
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