Mental Health and Addiction Supports Will Be On-Site at New Micro-Suite Apartment Building
WINNIPEG, MB, May 21, 2021 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Manitoba are partnering with the Pollard family of Winnipeg to build new housing for the protection of vulnerable homeless populations with mental health or addiction issues in Winnipeg's Centennial neighbourhood.
Home First Winnipeg Inc., a non-profit charitable corporation established by the Pollard family to provide safe, quality and affordable housing for Winnipeg's homeless population, will develop and construct the three-storey, 47 micro-suite apartment building. The Pollards are donating $3.9 million to Home First Winnipeg to go toward the $8-million cost of the development. .
The new secure housing complex at 390 Ross Ave. will include a commercial kitchen and common dining area on the ground floor, as well as a living room, game room, TV area for social interaction and a round room for Indigenous cultural activities. Staff will be on-site 24/7 to provide support to residents. The fenced yards will be landscaped, with an outdoor patio and community garden area for tenants.
Residents will not be required to live a sober lifestyle; though supports will be provided for those seeking recovery from addictions. 15 of the 47 units will be accessible for people with disabilities.
The governments of Canada and Manitoba are providing more than $1.1 million for the project through the Canada-Manitoba Housing Agreement under the National Housing Strategy, which was signed by both governments in 2019. The 10-year bilateral agreement will provide almost $450.8 million in joint funding to protect, renew and expand social and community housing, and will support Manitoba's priorities related to housing repair, construction and affordability.
An additional $800,000 is being provided through the Shared Health Priorities bilateral agreement. The province will continue to fund the project through an annual operating commitment, which includes shelter and meal benefits paid to Employment and Income Assistance, a rent subsidy from the Canada-Manitoba Housing Benefit and funding from the Mental Health and Addictions Bilateral Agreement.
The federal government is also providing a capital grant of $100,000 through Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy and the City of Winnipeg is providing a capital grant of $100,000.
Construction on the project is expected to begin this summer.
Quotes
"Our government will always be there to help those in need, which is why we are investing in this important project. This housing complex is more than just a safe and affordable place to call home, it is a key to a better life for the vulnerable individuals in our city who come here when they have nowhere else to go. I want to thank everyone involved for their dedication to their community and for making today's announcement possible." – The Honourable Daniel Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs
"Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. It is with great pleasure that our government, through the National Housing Strategy, is supporting initiatives like this Home First Winnipeg Inc. project, so that collectively, we are better able to assist people who are vulnerable, in finding the support that they need. Our government is working collaboratively with the government of Manitoba to address the most urgent housing challenges in the province." – Adam Vaughan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
"The Manitoba government recognizes that securing housing to protect individuals and families vulnerable to homelessness is a complex issue that requires collaboration across all levels of government, stakeholders and community. We are pleased to partner with the Government of Canada and the Pollard family on this innovative response to homelessness." – The Honourable Rochelle Squires, Manitoba Families Minister
"Our family is very pleased to be developing this important resource for our community. We think that providing safe, secure housing on a housing-first philosophy is a critical step in improving the city for people who are at risk of homelessness. We are very thankful to the provincial and federal governments for being such strong supporters of this project, as well we would like to thank End Homelessness Winnipeg and the City of Winnipeg for their support. Lastly a huge thank you to the Centennial neighborhood for being so welcoming to us." – John Pollard, Home First Winnipeg
Quick Facts
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As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC's aim is that by 2030, everyone in Canada has a home they can afford, and that meets their needs. For more information, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.
To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.
SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Media contacts: Mikaela Harrison, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, [email protected]; Leonard Catling, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 604-737-4029, [email protected]
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