www.canequity.com - Over $1.2 Million to Rehabilitate Much-Needed Housing in West Broadway Neighbourhood

Over $1.2 Million to Rehabilitate Much-Needed Housing in West Broadway Neighbourhood

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, May 14, 2004 — Low to moderate income residents in the West Broadway neighbourhood will have access to an additional 45 units of affordable housing with the rehabilitation of four vacant buildings, supported by over $1.2 million in funding from the Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Housing and Homelessness Initiative (WHHI).

The Honourable Christine Melnick, Manitoba Minister of Family Services and Housing, Mrs Anita Neville; Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South-Centre, and Dan Vandal, Acting Mayor of Winnipeg announced the support at an event which marked the official opening of a newly-renovated apartment building and student residence at 275-277 Furby Street, as well as the fourth anniversary of the WHHI.

Funding is being provided in the amount of $440,000 to Kinkora Developments/Spirit Management, $442,000 to the Westminster Housing Society and $348,000 to the Winnipeg Housing and Rehabilitation Corporation for housing rehabilitation projects. Combined project costs are estimated to total $1.75 million.

“It is gratifying to be able to support these latest projects, put forward by partners who have already had success in meeting local needs for affordable housing,” said Melnick. “The completion of these major renovations will see some units available at low-and below-median income rents — helping to fulfill a crucial need in this community.”

“These projects are the result of a successful partnership between the government of Canada, the government of Manitoba, the City of Winnipeg and the community, who are committed to working together to provide affordable housing options for Winnipeg’s inner-city neighbourhoods,” said Mrs. Neville. “And that commitment will continue as a result of the three levels of government renewing the WHHI memorandum of understanding for another five years.”

“The availability of safe, affordable housing gives lower-income families hope for the future,” said Vandal. “The hard work of the West Broadway Development Corporation and the funding from the WHHI partnership have combined to make these new housing units a reality.”

Funding support flows through the WHHI from various programs, including:

$468,000 under the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program ($351,000 from the Government of Canada and $117,000 from the Province of Manitoba)
$380,000 from Manitoba’s Neighbourhood Housing Assistance program;
$281,000 under the Canada-Manitoba Affordable Housing Initiative ($140,500 from the Government of Canada and $140,500 from the Province of Manitoba); and
$101,000 through the City of Winnipeg’s Housing Initiative.

“All of these projects will contribute significantly to the local efforts underway to revitalize the West Broadway neighbourhood,” said Robert Loiselle, Chair for the West Broadway Development Corporation.

The funding is being coordinated by the Winnipeg Housing and Homelessness Initiative, a partnership established by Canada, Manitoba and Winnipeg to address homelessness, declining housing stock and the revitalization of Winnipeg's older neighbourhoods. Located at 361 Hargrave Street, the WHHI is a single-window office for community organizations to access information on government funded housing and homelessness programs. Community groups wanting more information on programs can call the WHHI at (204) 940-3070.

For more information:

Brian Williamson
Winnipeg Housing and Homelessness Initiative (WHHI)
(204) 984-0592
brian.williamson@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Robert Loiselle
West Broadway Development Corporation
(204) 227-3880

Project Backgrounder

Neighbourhood improvement projects include:

Kinkora Developments/Spirit Management is purchasing and renovating a vacant apartment block at 275-277 Furby Street, to provide 15 units of affordable housing for families with person(s) attending the University of Winnipeg. The project also includes converting the attached rooming house into an eight bed “dormitory” style rooming house for single students. Total project costs are estimated at $790,000. Kinkora will act as Project Manager.
Westminster Housing Society will purchase and rehabilitate a vacant fire-damaged eight (8) unit apartment building located at 276-278 Furby Street. The renovated block will be leased as seven one-bedroom and one two-bedroom apartment units. Total project costs are estimated at $334,000.
The Westminster Housing Society is also converting a vacant rooming house into three units of rental housing located at 309 Langside Street. The new building will provide one studio unit, one, one-bedroom unit and one two-bedroom unit. Total project costs are estimated at $133,000.
Winnipeg Housing Rehabilitation Corporation is renovating a vacant three-story apartment building at 290 Langside to provide 11 one-bedroom units of affordable housing for low- to moderate-income households. Total project costs are estimated at $495,000.

Left to right: Rob Loiselle, Chair — West Broadway Development Corporation; Jenny Gerbassi, Councillor for Fort Rouge /East Fort Garry; Honourable Christine Melnick, Manitoba Minister of Family Services and Housing; Anita Neville, Member of Parliament Winnipeg South Centre