December 6, 2013
Province Awards Deserving Students Manitoba Housing Bursaries to Help Them Build Better Futures
– – –Post-secondary Recipients Have Achieved High Marks, Shown Commitment to Their Communities: Minister Bjornson
Post-secondary students who live in provincial subsidized housing, have achieved high marks and have shown a commitment to their communities are receiving BUILDINGFoundations Bursaries to help them pay for their schooling, Housing and Community Development Minister Peter Bjornson said today.
“These students are overcoming many obstacles, are high achievers and are making positive changes in their communities,” said Minister Bjornson. “We are pleased to honour them with assistance to help them complete their education and strive to fulfil their dreams of a better life for themselves and their families.”
The BUILDINGFoundations Bursary Program recognizes the importance of building stronger communities and enhancing the opportunities of the students.
The 2013 BUILDINGFoundations bursary recipients are:
- Pedrina Antoine – University of Manitoba;
- Alexis Campbell – University College of the North (Thompson);
- Benito Capili – Booth University College;
- Bailey Chipman – University of Winnipeg;
- Beverley Fredborg – University of Winnipeg;
- Candace Horseman – Red River College;
- Michele Longbottom – Red River College;
- Bindu Shijo – Red River College; and
- Kailee Tibbs – University of Manitoba.
Since 2008, bursaries have been awarded to 54 post-secondary students for a total of $54,000. The BUILDINGFoundations Bursary Program is open to post-secondary students in the province who attend college or university and either live in Manitoba Housing or in subsidized housing associated with Manitoba Housing.
The BUILDINGFoundations Bursary fund is managed through a partnership with the Winnipeg Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to be a catalyst for strengthening community well-being now and for future generations by promoting philanthropy, creating partnerships and supporting diverse charitable organizations. Donations to the BUILDINGFoundations Bursary fund can be made directly through the Winnipeg Foundation.
Over the next three years, the Manitoba government will invest $100 million annually to restore and redevelop housing units in its portfolio, the minister said, noting an additional $34 million is dedicated annually to repair existing housing and provide quality home environments for tenants.
Manitoba will also build 500 more social housing units and 500 more affordable rental units over the next three years. This is in addition to 1,500 social housing and 1,500 affordable housing units that are on schedule for 2014. These investments to build more affordable housing are in addition to increased benefits for employment income assistance recipients and other low-income Manitobans announced in Budget 2013 through an annual increase of $6.3 million in RentAid shelter benefits.
The province’s long-term housing strategy supports a vision to create stronger communities through housing solutions. Information about the BUILDINGFoundations Bursary fund is available at www.manitoba.ca/housing and at the provincial government’s Twitter account at www.Twitter.com/MBGov.
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