The Manitoba government is investing more than $25 million in five targeted initiatives that will modernize the emergency response system and provide more housing with supports, Families Minister Rochelle Squires announced in a media release Tuesday (July 18).
“Modernizing the emergency response system shifts the focus from a crisis-oriented, reactive approach to one that is better equipped to prevent and end homelessness,” said Squires. “By investing in initiatives that stabilize the existing system, reduce barriers to accessing shelters, increase co-ordination within provincial departments and improve co-operation among all levels of governments and homeless-serving organizations, we are making significant strides to address homelessness.”
An investment of $2.6 million will allow select shelters to operate and become 24-7 service hubs, allowing them to foster a more person-centred approach, offer programming to support well-being and provide better case management services, the minister noted.
One of those organizations is Brandon’s ‘Blue Door’. They’ll receive $350,000 to allow them to operate 24/7 beginning this fall. Last winter, the ‘Blue Door’ was only open from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, and operated for a couple of weeks after the Samaritan House ‘Safe and Warm’ Shelter had reached capacity.
The Manitoba government is alsd investing nearly $3.4 million to develop 400 new community-based social housing units this year, through rent-supplement agreements. A call for expressions of interest was released on June 30 looking for property owners who would like to make units for rent available to people experiencing homelessness through Manitoba Housing’s rent supplement program.
To ensure tenants in the new social housing units have access to a full continuum of appropriate supports, the Manitoba government is investing $5.8 million to expand existing supports and develop new Housing First teams, the minister noted. The front-line support workers provide a range of basic services, case management and clinical support based on a tenant’s unique needs. A call for expressions of interest was released on June 30 looking for agency partners who wish to provide supports to the tenants residing in the rent supplement-supported units. Details on both expressions of interest can be found at https://gov.mb.ca/fs/homelessness/index.html
“Access to affordable housing, along with the appropriate supports to maintain that tenancy, is critical for individuals to successfully exit homelessness,” said Squires. “To make progress on ending homelessness, we are working collaboratively with community agencies to increase the supply of social housing, including culturally appropriate options for Indigenous peoples, and expand the capacity of service teams who provide a continuum of supports to tenants.”
Manitoba Housing will also be issuing a negotiated request for proposals (NRFP) targeting the development of 212 units through new construction, acquisition and/or renovation with a new $13.1-million investment. The NRFP invites proposals for the development of new social housing units. Proponents will have the opportunity to apply for up to $150,000 per unit, encompassing new construction, acquisition and retrofitting of buildings. Additionally, proponents will have the option to identify units within existing buildings to be repurposed in support of A Place for Everyone , the provincial homelessness strategy. Applications for the NFRP can be found at https://manitoba.ca/housing/progs/nrfp-srhu.html
An additional $835,000 in interest-free loans has been committed from the relaunched Proposal Development Funding program to 13 non-profit groups and co-operative organizations to help offset pre-development costs related to their affordable housing projects.
“Homelessness is a complex issue that requires a co-ordinated, multi-faceted response,” said Squires. “We launched the province’s first-ever homelessness strategy, A Place for Everyone, to guide our whole-of-government initiatives over five years. Having a governance structure oversee the strategy is critical to ensuring it is implemented effectively and adapts to changing needs and priorities.”
The minister also noted that applications are now being accepted for the new Community Advisory Committee to support the implementation and evaluation of A Place for Everyone : A Collaborative Homelessness Strategy for Manitoba . Manitobans interested in applying to the committee can learn more at https://manitoba.ca/fs/homelessness/advisory-council.html.
To read A Place for Everyone: A Collaborative Homelessness Strategy for Manitoba,visit https://gov.mb.ca/fs/homelessness/pubs/homelessness_strategy.pdf
