Federal funding to help build transitional housing in Winnipeg

A pair of transitional homes in downtown Winnipeg will help women and children fleeing gender-based violence.

A major investment from the federal government will help women facing gender-based violence secure a safe place to live in Winnipeg.

On Monday, the Government of Canada, Province of Manitoba, and City of Winnipeg announced $3.4 million in federal funding to help build a 15-unit transitional housing development in downtown Winnipeg.

According to the government, it will include 10 studio homes, three two-bedroom homes, and two three-bedroom homes. Tenancies housing will range from six to 24 months and will be open to women and children leaving gender-based violence.

The housing is expected to be fully occupied by July.

“Across the country there’s a shortage of safe, affordable homes for women and children leaving violence. That is why it’s such a privilege to be here today to celebrate the opening of these two new homes,” said Wade Grant, parliamentary secretary to the minister of environment and climate change, at a news conference on Monday.

“These homes will be a place of safety, hope and new beginnings.”

The governments also announced the opening and full occupancy of a separate 11-unit transitional housing development on Monday. This development, also geared towards families fleeing gender-based violence, includes five two-bedroom homes and six three-bedroom homes.

The governments note that both buildings provide affordable rent-geared-to-income housing, as well as on-site support to help women move from violence to stability and improved socio-economic outcomes.