December 17, 2020
Governments to Invest More Than $17.5 Million to Connect Vulnerable Manitobans with Safe, Stable Housing
Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and the Honourable Heather Stefanson, Manitoba’s Minister of Families, announced a more than $17.5-million investment in housing benefits over the next two years and $154.6 million over the next eight years.
“Our government is committed to ensuring that every Canadian has a safe and affordable place to call home. Long-term, predictable funding for housing has been needed for more than a decade,” said Hussen. “With today’s announcement, we are taking a significant step toward our goal of building strong communities across Manitoba where vulnerable Canadians can prosper and thrive, now and for the future.”
“Our government is committed to providing housing to vulnerable Manitobans throughout our province,” said Stefanson. “Over the next two years, the Canada-Manitoba Housing Benefit will provide meaningful, monthly support so that more Manitobans have a safe place to call home.”
The Canada-Manitoba Housing Benefit will provide housing affordability assistance to approximately 3,300 vulnerable Manitobans over the next two years. The Manitoba government has identified three key populations at greater risk of housing insecurity that will be eligible for the benefit:
• young adults who are transitioning out of, or have recently aged out of, the child welfare system;
• people who are, or are at risk of becoming, homeless; and
• individuals dealing with mental health or addictions issues, and living in designated supportive housing buildings.
Young adults who have aged out of the child welfare system over the last 12 months will be eligible for this benefit, including those who may also receive Employment and Income Assistance or non-EIA Rent Assist. In those situations, the Canada-Manitoba Housing Benefit would bridge the gap between current supports and their actual rent, up to a maximum amount of $250 per month. About 630 young adults are expected to be eligible in 2020-21, doubling to 1,260 in the second year.
“Housing is often barriered for young people. This benefit will remove barriers and help youth improve their housing situation,” said Kelly Holmes, executive director, Resource Assistance for Youth. “This is sorely needed by young people coming out of the child welfare system who typically can’t afford safe and adequate housing.”
This benefit will be based on referrals from Manitoba Child and Family Services or community-based agencies, and will be put in place in the coming months.
The Manitoba government is partnering with End Homelessness Winnipeg to deliver a rent supplement for individuals who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless, which will launch in 2021-22. The Canada-Manitoba Housing Benefit would bridge the gap between Rent Assist and a client’s actual rent, up to a maximum of $250 per month. To be eligible, individuals must be connected with a community housing support program. About 370 people are expected to be eligible.
“This benefit will help ensure that hundreds of Manitobans experiencing homelessness are able to secure safe and affordable housing,” said Lucille Bruce, president and CEO, End Homelessness Winnipeg. “Thank you to the governments of Manitoba and Canada for investing in this ground-breaking new benefit, and for entering into a lasting partnership with End Homelessness Winnipeg.”
The benefit for individuals with mental health and addictions issues will also launch in the next fiscal year, once new supportive recovery housing projects being built in the province begin accepting clients. This benefit will be delivered by the provincial government and is expected to support about 135 people in its first year.
In total, governments will invest over $17.5 million over two years in order to help address housing affordability in Manitoba. This includes more than $8.7 million in new funding available through the Canada-Manitoba Housing Benefit and another $8.7 million in provincial cost-matching.
The Canada-Manitoba Housing Benefit will invest more than $154.6 million in targeted support to meet the significant housing needs of approximately 17,600 Manitobans within vulnerable populations between 2020-21 and 2027-28. Programs and funding details for future years of the benefit will be developed as part of Manitoba’s three-year housing action plans. Manitoba’s current action plan is available at www.gov.mb.ca/housing/three-yr-plan-2020.html.
Governments initially announced their commitment to the Canada-Manitoba Housing Benefit in June 2019 as part of the signing of the bilateral agreement under the National Housing Strategy. Funding provided through the Canada-Manitoba Housing Benefit is in addition to the $450 million already committed through the 10-year National Housing Strategy.
The Government of Canada will invest $2 billion in the Canada Housing Benefit across the country, which will be cost-matched by provinces and territories for a total $4-billion investment over eight years starting in spring 2020. The federal government and provinces and territories are working together to co-develop 13 housing benefit programs, one for each jurisdiction, that will respond to local housing affordability challenges.
More information will be posted at www.gov.mb.ca/housing under Quick Links as program details are finalized.
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