August 25, 2026
Manitoba Government Invests in Safe, Affordable Housing for Women and Children Leaving Family Violence
– – –New Transitional Housing Complex in Winkler Will Provide Space to Heal and Rebuild: Kinew, Fontaine
Watch news conference
WINKLER—The Manitoba government is investing $2.4 million in Genesis House to support construction of a new transitional housing complex in Winkler offering safe, affordable housing for women and children leaving family violence, Premier Wab Kinew and Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine, minister responsible for women and gender equity, announced here today.
“Every woman or family in Manitoba deserves to be safe,” said Kinew. “When someone makes the difficult decision to leave violence, there needs to be a safe place to land and the support to build a new life. That’s what this investment in Genesis House is about. Getting someone out of an unsafe situation is only the first step. We need to make sure survivors have a safe place to live as they work toward permanent housing. Today we’re investing in safety, housing and supports for families when they need them most.”
“Our government recognizes ending gender-based violence requires more than emergency response,” said Fontaine. “Families need safe housing, community-based services and long-term solutions that support survivors at every stage of recovery. This investment is about safety, care and stability for women and children as they build a life free from violence.”
The new transitional housing complex will include 25 units providing 57 beds, indoor and outdoor common spaces, a children’s play area, as well as a programming and counselling space, the minister noted.
“As our government works to address housing needs across the province, transitional housing plays a critical role in bridging emergency shelter and permanent housing,” said Fontaine. “This project strengthens Manitoba’s response to family violence while also expanding the continuum of housing supports needed to prevent homelessness and promote long-term stability. This new transitional housing complex will ensure families have the time, space and support they need to heal from gender-based violence and chart a new path forward.”
Genesis House has been a vital support for women affected by intimate partner and family violence for more than 40 years, offering community programming and training focused on gender-based violence and healthy relationships, while also working with individuals leaving shelters to secure safe and affordable housing. The organization currently operates a five-bedroom emergency shelter that provides accommodations and supportive services for women and their children, along with a stand-alone transitional housing unit owned by Manitoba Housing.
“The lack of safe, affordable housing continues to be one of the greatest challenges faced by women who have experienced gender-based violence,” said Angela Braun, executive director, Genesis House. “The addition of the Clearwater Place transitional housing program will complement the services already provided by Genesis House, and provide safe and supportive housing with the wraparound services needed to end the cycle of violence and abuse for the women and children we serve. We are grateful to the Manitoba government and the Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag: All Women Doing Well strategy for their investment in this life-changing service.”
The $2.4-million investment advances three of the eight pillars of the strategy (healthy communities, housing, and justice and safety) and is part of Manitoba’s whole-of-government strategy aimed at the empowerment, safety and protection of Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse people.
Construction on the new facility is underway and it is expected to be operational in April 2027, the minister noted.
For more information or to read the Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag: All Women Doing Well strategy, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/wage/minoayaawag-ikwewag.html.
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