WINNIPEG, Manitoba, October 18, 2002 — Residents and homeowners will soon benefit from the repair and revitalization of about 70 homes and housing units in the Spence neighbourhood with up to $536,000 from the Government of Canada, Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Housing and Homelessness Initiative (WHHI). Funding is being provided to the Spence Neighbourhood Association, the Winnipeg Housing and Rehabilitation Corporation and Lazarus Housing.
The funding responds to the priorities identified in the neighbourhood housing plan developed by the Spence Neighbourhood Association in conjunction with the local residents. The Association will coordinate the implementation of the plan with local housing stakeholders.
Today's announcement was made by Winnipeg Mayor Glen Murray; Marianne Cerilli, MLA for Radisson, on behalf of the Honourable Drew Caldwell, Manitoba Minister of Family Services and Housing; and Anita Neville, MP for Winnipeg - South Centre, on behalf of the Honourable David Collenette, Minister of Transport and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
"No other city in Canada is putting as much effort into housing renewal as Winnipeg", said Mayor Murray. "All three orders of government are committed to providing the financial resources to invest in affordable housing for our citizens. Though governments may be providing the money, it's the community itself that is providing the neighbourhood plans, the energy and sweat, and most importantly, the imagination and spirit."
"The community is working together to benefit Spence neighbourhood and we are pleased to further support the partners to build on past successes", said Cerilli. "Locally planned and delivered housing initiatives are key to tackling the redevelopment of derelict, boarded up housing and help strengthen families and build communities."
"The groups involved in these projects are demonstrating an ongoing commitment to improving their neighbourhood in a way that is both pleasing and practical", said Anita Neville. "The Government of Canada through the WHHI partnership fully supports community redevelopment at the grass roots level. Through careful strategic planning and resident involvement, the Spence community will ensure that all of these initiatives are carried out in a manner that compliments the surroundings."
The WHHI funding for Spence neighbourhood of up to $536,000 includes $250,000 from the City of Winnipeg Housing Policy initiative, $160,000 from the Government of Manitoba's Neighbourhood Housing Assistance program and $126,000 from the federal-provincial Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program. Last December, the Spence Neighbourhood Association received $30,000 from the Manitoba government's Neighbourhoods Alive! Initiative and $30,000 from the City of Winnipeg to develop its neighbourhood housing plan.
This funding will support implementation of the housing plan that focuses on the rehabilitation of substandard homes for low- and moderate-income families in the area, community revitalization initiatives such as creating green space and providing grants to homeowners and landlords for fix-up projects (Please see the backgrounder for project details).
"Many of the goals the residents set out in the Spence Neighbourhood Housing Plan (2001) for 2002 have been met", said Inonge Aliaga, Housing Coordinator for the Spence Neighbourhood Association. "Four of the most derelict boarded homes have been demolished, seven more vacant lots have been leveled and greened, eight homeowners have received emergency repair grants and at least 10 completely renovated houses have new owners or rent-to-own tenants. These things have been done with the help of funding and support from our WHHI partners."
The Winnipeg Housing and Homelessness Initiative is a three-year, multi-million dollar partnership established by the Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg to address homelessness, declining housing stock and the revitalization of Winnipeg's older neighbourhoods. With this announcement, the WHHI has committed $26.3 million to support the repair, rehabilitation and construction of more than 920 units of housing and 120 rooms or beds, as well as to help homeless individuals and families and those at risk of becoming homeless.
Located at 233 Portage Avenue, in the Curry Building, the WHHI serves as a single-window office for community organizations to access information on government funded housing and homelessness programs. This window also helps improve co-operation and information sharing among the three levels of government and community groups. Community groups wanting more information on programs can call the WHHI at (204) 940-3070.
Brian Williamson
Winnipeg Housing and Homelessness Initiative (WHHI)
Phone: (204) 984-0592
e-mail: brian.williamson@hrdc-drhc.gc.ca
Inonge Aliaga
Spence Neighbourhood Association
Phone: 783-0290
Project Backgrounder
The Spence neighbourhood housing plan includes:
Government of Canada
Under the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI), communities in Manitoba will receive approximately $24 million:
The SCPI is based on a community plan developed by the various partners to design and implement local solutions to their particular homelessness issues. The SCPI funds up to 50 per cent of the costs of implementing the community plan. The other 50 per cent is comprised of direct or in-kind contributions from a variety of partners, including other levels of government, community organizations, and the private and voluntary sectors.
Additional federal funding assistance is provided through the following programs:
For more information on the Government of Canada's National Homelessness Initiative, visit the NHI Web site at: www.hrdc.gc.ca
For more information on RRAP, visit the CMHC Web site at www.cmhc.ca, or Family Services and Housing, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/fs
Government of Manitoba
Neighbourhoods Alive! is a long-term development strategy aimed at providing community groups in designated areas of Winnipeg, Brandon and Thompson with the support they need for programs in the areas of housing and physical improvements, employment and training, education and recreation and safety and crime prevention. The Manitoba government has committed $3.7 million to Neighbourhoods Alive! in the 2002 budget to develop local capacity, innovative training and provide a fund through which local neighbourhoods can implement their revitalization plans.
In addition, under Neighbourhoods Alive! and through the Winnipeg Housing and Homelessness Initiative (WHHI), the Government of Manitoba has committed:
The NHA will contribute to the revitalization of housing in designated neighbourhoods by providing assistance of up to $10,000 per dwelling unit to neighbourhood based development/renewal corporations and non-profit and co-operative housing corporations for locally planned and developed housing initiatives. Funding can also be provided directly to homeowners or owners of rental housing projects where there is demonstrated community support.
For more information on Manitoba Family Services and Housing, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/fs
City of Winnipeg
The City of Winnipeg has allocated $7 million over five years under the Winnipeg Housing Policy to fund housing initiatives in targeted inner-city neighbourhoods. Funding is available through several programs:
For more information on the City of Winnipeg, visit: www.winnipeg.ca