February 6, 2015
New $10.4-million Affordable Housing Project for Refugee and Immigrant Women Opens in Winnipeg
WINNIPEG, MB—The Governments of Canada and Manitoba, along with the City of Winnipeg and Hargrave Holdings Ltd., today officially opened Marie Rose Place. The six-storey, 40-suite, long-term apartment community will provide support for immigrant and refugee women with low-to-moderate income transitioning from Holy Names House of Peace (HNHP) or elsewhere in the community.
The Marie Rose Place design includes 36 two-bedroom units and four one-bedroom units. Four apartments are fully accessible for residents with disabilities. Each home is furnished and features in-suite washer/dryer, dishwasher, and microwave.
The facility, located on Edmonton Street in downtown Winnipeg, includes multi-purpose space, storage space, small commercial office space on the main level and residential suites on the five floors above. As an example of a multi-cultural home, the first residents at Marie Rose Place represent 13 different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.
Quick Facts
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The project, developed by Hargrave Holdings Ltd., received a combined investment of
$2 million through the Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-2014 (IAH). The funding comes as a result of the $62 million IAH 2011-2014 Agreement between the Governments of Canada and Manitoba. The Province of Manitoba is using the funds under this agreement to build more affordable housing and upgrade existing housing to ensure low-income Manitobans can provide safe, stable homes for their families. - In July 2014, the Governments of Canada and Manitoba signed an extension to the IAH Agreement that will provide for a combined investment of $104 million for the 2014-2019 period to help more individuals and families in need access affordable housing.
- The Government of Canada also contributed close to $2 million to the Marie Rose Place project through the City of Winnipeg, the community entity that administers the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) in Winnipeg.
- Since the launch of the HPS in April 2007, nearly 34,000 Canadians who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless have benefitted from education and training opportunities, over 32,000 have received help to find work and more than 5,770 new shelter beds have been created.
- The City of Winnipeg and the Province of Manitoba have conditionally approved a combined amount of $767,979 in funding through the Downtown Residential Development Grant Program.
- The Province of Manitoba is additionally providing an estimated $480,000 toward the project under its Rental Housing Construction Tax Credit program, and is projected to provide just over $4 million in Rent Supplement assistance over the next 15 years to make all units available on a rent geared-to-income (RGI) basis.
- Hargrave Holdings Ltd. contributed $2,232,762 including land towards the project plus mortgage financing of approximately $3.5 million.
Quotes
“New Canadians face many challenges, including finding safe, affordable homes where they can start to put down roots, make friends and adapt to their new country. Marie-Rose Place offers a beautiful setting where immigrants and refugees will be able to find a supportive community and a great start as they build new lives.” – Honourable Kerri Irvin-Ross, Minister of Manitoba Housing and Community Development.
“It is gratifying to see this newly constructed housing complex in Winnipeg. These new units are a wonderful example of what can be achieved when we work together to develop more affordable housing. Our Government is dedicated to helping those in need, which is why we are proud to have invested in Marie Rose Place.” – Lawrence Toet, Member of Parliament for Elmwood-Transcona, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State for Social Development.
"One of the most important parts of ensuring that newcomers to Winnipeg thrive is through the provision of affordable housing. Marie-Rose Place will provide a comfortable and secure place where families can grow within their new community. The City of Winnipeg is proud to administer the Homelessness Partnering Strategy.” – Mike Pagtakhan, Deputy Mayor, City of Winnipeg.
“Marie Rose Place is a truly unique project and is the result of a partnership of the Federal, Provincial, City Governments with Hargrave Holdings Ltd. Our focus is to provide a secure environment for the children and mothers who are from 13 different countries and are now making Winnipeg their new home.” - Robert J. Dick, CEO, Hargrave Holdings Ltd.
Associated Links
Information on the Homelessness Partnering Strategy can be found at:
www.esdc.gc.ca/eng/communities/homelessness/index.shtml.
Additional information on Manitoba Housing can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/housing/.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED