Housing. Manitoba s Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion Strategy

Action Plan: Food Security Action Plan: Housing : Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion Strategy Action Plan: Housing Page 1 All Ab...
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Action Plan: Food Security

Action Plan:

Housing

: Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion Strategy

Action Plan: Housing

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All Aboard Action Plan: Housing The Manitoba government recognizes that housing is a basic human need and, alongside community, is at the centre of well-being. Housing that is affordable, safe and suitable provides a stable base that enables individuals and their families to participate fully in economic and community life. This action plan focuses on what the Manitoba government can do to safeguard an adequate supply of affordable, safe and suitable housing for those with low incomes and unique needs. It complements the principles, goals and actions outlined by Strong Communities: An Action Plan, which provides a long-term strategic framework guiding the programs and services that are delivered by Manitoba Housing and Community Development. Low rental vacancy rates, a growing population and increasing rental costs combine to make it difficult for some Manitobans to access affordable housing. A tight rental market is especially challenging for the estimated 140,000 Manitobans living with low incomes.2 For these citizens, the lack of affordable housing options weighs against the ability to provide a safe and stable living environment for their household. Manitobans who are unable to afford housing at market rates turn to social and affordable housing, while others in unique situations require housing with additional supports and services. In spring 2013, Manitobans took part in public consultations about All Aboard: Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion Strategy. Manitobans ranked housing as the most important area for action. They said that housing insecurity is both a symptom and cause of low income, and that addressing poverty requires a long-term vision achieved through actions that are multifaceted and integrated.

Affordable and Social Housing: What’s the Difference? Social housing is rental accommodation available to clients at a rate set in relation to their ability to pay: rent-geared-toincome (RGI). The housing provider is able to provide a RGI rate because of an ongoing government subsidy. The Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation (MHRC)1 provides social housing through the Social Housing Rental Program (SHRP) to households that meet the program eligibility requirements. SHRP provides a range of housing options at a RGI rental rate between 25 per cent and 27 per cent of gross household income. MHRC provides affordable housing through the Affordable Housing Rental Program (AHRP). Affordable housing rates are determined by the median market rent. Eligibility is reserved for lowto-moderate income working households. The AHRP provides a range of housing options at fixed flat rate rents that are reviewed annually. Manitoba Housing is a Crown corporation created by statute (The Housing and Renewal Corporation Act) in 1967. The legal name of the corporation is The Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation (MHRC). MHRC owns the province’s housing portfolio.

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All Aboard progress toward reducing poverty and social exclusion is measured, in part, by the prevalence of core housing need in Manitoba. Core housing need declines as household income rises.3 A household is in core housing need when its housing falls below at least one of the adequacy, affordability or suitability standards

Based on the market basket measure of low income for 2013, the most recent year for which data are available. Statistics Canada, Canadian Income Survey. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Canadian Housing Observer 2014. Chapter 1: Housing Affordability and Need. Page 1-3. See Data Table: Core Housing Need Status for the Population, by Selected Characteristics and Gender, Manitoba, 2011. Available at: www.cmhc.ca/observer. 2 3

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(and it would have to spend 30 per cent or more of its total before-tax income to pay the median rent of alternative local housing that meets all three standards).4 In 2011, the most recent year for which data are available, 10.3 per cent of Manitoba households, including 5.8 per cent of homeowners and 22 per cent of Manitoba renters, reported having a core housing need. “The well-being of individuals and communities depends on meeting basic needs, poverty reduction, functioning housing markets and support for community building.” Manitoba Family Services Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross

In April 2012, the Province released its four-year (2012-2016) All Aboard: Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion Strategy, which focuses on seven priority areas. There is an action plan for each priority area, as follows: 1. Sustainable Employment and a Stronger Labour Market 2. Targeted Supports for Those Most in Need 3. Food Security 4. Creating Opportunities for Youth 5. Closing the Gap for Aboriginal Manitobans 6. Housing

This action plan aims to meet the housing needs of low-income Manitobans and those with unique housing barriers. It is one of seven action plans under the All Aboard Strategy, which sets out to provide a comprehensive package of actions that together address the underlying factors associated with poverty. The Manitoba government is taking steps to address the needs of low-income Manitobans. Budget 2014 introduced the Rent Assist program, a new portable financial benefit for Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) participants and other low-income private renters in Manitoba. Rent Assist has replaced the EIA shelter allowance and RentAid programs and is now available to all household categories, based on income. In December 2015, maximum Rent Assist benefits rose to a maximum benefit level of 75 per cent of median market rent. “Once you have affordable housing and access to food, then all other items can follow, so then the next item on the list should be early learning and parenting supports and the building blocks for employment. No one can think about getting out of poverty if they have to worry about shelter and food.”

7. Starting Early, Starting Strong: Manitoba’s Five Year Plan for Early Childhood Development

An adequate supply of suitable social housing can help address affordability, which is further advanced by measures to subsidize housing costs or improve household incomes. Supply and affordability are not the only housing barriers. Unique needs – mental health problems and illnesses, disabilities, aging and life transitions – can also bar some Manitobans from independence, community participation and the happiness that a home provides. The actions of this plan are organized into the following categories: 1. actions to address housing affordability; 2. actions to increase and prevent erosion of affordable and social housing supply; and 3. actions to provide appropriate housing with supports for Manitobans with unique needs.

- 2013 All Aboard Survey Respondent Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. October 2014. 2011 Census/National Household Survey Housing Conditions Series: Issue 2 The Geography of Core Housing Need in 2011. Socio-economic Series 14-003. CMHC. Page 6.

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1. Actions to Address Housing Affordability Affordability is the primary reason why households fall into core housing need. Shelter costs in the private market are considered unaffordable when they exceed 30 per cent of before-tax household income. In 2011, 26,000 Manitoba households (6.1 per cent) reported living in a dwelling below the affordability standard (3.5 per cent of homeowners and 13.1 per cent of renters).5 High housing costs can force low-income families to choose between paying for groceries and paying rent.

the 2014/15 – 2018/19 period to help create more quality, affordable housing and address local needs and priorities.

Families whose incomes depend on Employment and Income Assistance are among the most vulnerable because rents have increased more steeply than shelter allowance benefits. The housing affordability challenge is also an issue for low-income working Manitobans and their families. Portable housing benefits encourage people to find and keep work without fear of losing their housing supports.

Actions in Progress:

The Manitoba government is committed to working towards providing an adequate supply of affordable housing for low-income Manitobans. Until there are enough affordable housing units for low-income Manitobans, actions are required to ensure that these Manitobans can afford the housing that is available. Examples include, the Manitoba Rent Assist Program, school tax rebates for seniors, as well as strengthening and protecting tenant tenure rights through legislation. Manitoba fulfilled its commitment to support 1,500 low-income households with rent-geared-toincome (RGI) assistance between 2009 and 2014. It will continue to develop more units of social and affordable housing in partnership with the private sector, as well as through collaborations with other levels of government. In July 2014, the Governments of Canada and Manitoba signed an extension to the original Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement that will provide for a combined investment of $104 million for

The All Aboard strategy sets out to provide a comprehensive suite of actions that are intended, in part, to improve the incomes of Manitobans. This section highlights actions that directly increase the amount of money low-income Manitobans have to spend on shelter.

delivering rent supplement programs, which enables eligible low and moderate-income families and seniors to pay RGI rent in the private market and in non-profit housing. Manitoba subsidizes the difference between the market rental rate and the RGI rate paid by the tenant. As of March 31, 2015, 1,918 households living in non-profit, co-operative, and private sector housing were receiving an RGI rent supplement subsidy from Manitoba.6 providing over 500 participants living in private rental accommodation who have a mental illness and receive Employment and Income Assistance with a Portable Housing Benefit (PHB) of up to $200 per month, along with housing supports to maintain a stable tenancy. The PHB is delivered by mental health service agencies across Manitoba. offering the School Tax Assistance for Tenants 55 Plus program, which provides up to $175 annually to eligible low-income tenants and offsets the school tax portion of rental costs in the private market. On March 31, 2015, 927 recipients received rebate cheques (including retroactive/ partial year cheques) totalling over $91,000.

5 See Characteristics of Households in Core Housing Need, Manitoba, 2011. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Available at: http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/corp/about/cahoob/ data/data_024.cfm 6 This includes households receiving subsidies through the Social Rent Supplement Program, the Complementary Assistance Program, and the Housing First Rent Supplement.

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reducing the utility costs of low-income Manitoba households (including rental properties) through the Manitoba Hydro Affordable Energy Program (AEP).7 The program helps low-income homeowners and landlords make their homes and rental properties energy efficient (free in-home audits, free insulation and furnace replacements), lowering electricity and natural gas bills.8 By February 2015, retrofits included 6,555 homes using an individual approach and 2,257 homes using a community-based social enterprise approach. launched a Manitoba Hydro neighbourhood pilot project on targeted streets in Winnipeg to make AEP participation easier for mid-to-lower income customers by eliminating income requirements and by delivering the program to customer doorsteps using AEP staff and community canvassers (May 2014). passed legislation in 2012 to establish a Payas-You-Save (PAYS) financing program that offers upfront capital costs for energy and water efficiency improvements, and recovers those costs through a monthly charge on the home’s energy bill. In September 2013, the program was expanded to customers in the commercial (including multi-unit residential buildings) and institutional building sectors. To date, more than 550 residential loans and over 30 commercial loans, representing a total of approximately $4 million in financing, have been approved. improving the energy efficiency of existing homes through Manitoba Hydro’s largest initiative, the Power Smart Residential Loan Program has provided more than $320 million in loans to over 75,000 customers to support efficiency upgrades since 2001. passed legislation in 2012 that ensures Manitobans pay the lowest rates in Canada for

basic utilities – electricity and home heating. In September 2015, an independent audit confirmed Manitoba as the most affordable place in Canada for basic household utilities, with Manitoba families saving over $2,100 annually compared to the national average. implemented regulations to allow for greater transparency by requiring the annual rent increase guideline be linked to the consumer price index (CPI) for Manitoba and to fall within the Bank of Canada’s inflation-control target range. strengthened qualifying criteria for exemption from rent regulation, helping to ensure landlords keep their buildings and specified rental units in good condition, substantially increasing the quality of living accommodations. launched a new benefit program, Rent Assist, which provides a new portable financial benefit with two separate eligibility streams: one for Employment and Income Assistance participants and the other for low-income private renters. Rent Assist replaced the EIA shelter allowance and RentAid programs and is available to all household categories, based on income. Ways this program helps low-income Manitobans include: As of July 2014, EIA participants living in private rental situations received annual shelter benefit increases of $600 to $840 (based on household size). People in the EIA stream saw their shelter benefits and RentAid payments combined into a single Rent Assist cheque. Non-EIA RentAid recipients, including families, people with disabilities and seniors, automatically received the new Rent Assist benefit, provided they continue to meet the eligibility criteria.

Manitoba Hydro’s Affordable Energy Program (AEP), launched in December 2007, is funded by the Affordable Energy Fund and includes the following: Power Smart Affordable Energy Program, First Nations Power Smart Program, Power Smart Neighbourhood Project, Neighbours Helping Neighbours Program, and the Bill Management Program. 8 Legislation passed in 2012 mandates Manitoba Hydro to continue contributing into the Affordable Energy Fund (AEF) to support activities that improve energy efficiency and water conservation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and assist community-based retrofit groups that combine energy efficiency retrofits for low and moderate income households. Participating AEP lower-income families will save an estimated average of $200 per year on energy for measures including insulation upgrades. Furnace replacements can save up to an additional $240 per year. 7

Action Plan: Housing

The non-EIA, low-income stream for this benefit was extended to include non-disabled adults without children who live in private rental situations.

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In December 2015, maximum Rent Assist shelter benefits increased to 75% of Median Market Rent for EIA participants and those not on EIA renting in the private market. Monthly amounts depend on household size. The following table notes maximum shelter benefit levels for EIA participants by household type since Rent Assist was introduced in July of 2014:

continuing to provide housing subsidies to existing participants of the former federal At Home/Chez Soi project. implemented changes to protect tenant tenure rights when units are converted to condominiums.

“In my own community, there is no affordable housing strategy, the vacancy rate is well below 1%, and the number of families regularly relying on food banks is increasing. The gap is growing and very little is being done to stop it. Taxes, housing prices and the cost of living keep going up, but wages certainly do not grow at the same rate.”

2015 and Beyond: Budget 2015 invested $22.0 million to fully implement Rent Assist, bringing many above the poverty line and reducing the depth of poverty for those unable to work.

- 2013 All Aboard Survey Respondent

Total Shelter Benefits for EIA Participants July 2014 to December 2015 Sample Household Type

July 2014

July 2015

December 2015

Single Parent – Two Children (Ages 10 and 13)

$480

$525

$758

Two Adults, Two Children (Ages 4 and 6)

$521

$566

$758

Single Adult

$435

$460

$511

Single Adult with a Disability

$435

$460

$511

Actual non-EIA benefits depend on household income. The calculation of the benefit is the difference between 75% of Median Market Rent and 25% of the household’s net annual income.

The following table provides some examples of what those not on EIA would get in Rent Assist benefits.

Non-EIA Rent Assist Benefit Examples Household Composition

Net Annual Household Income

Monthly Rent Assist Benefit

Two Parents, Two Children

$30,000

$153

Single Parent, Two Children

$25,000

$257

Single Adult

$20,000

$114

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increasing the seniors’ school tax rebate up to $470 (in tax year 2015) for homeowners 65 and older who still pay education property tax. Senior households will be saving up to $1,570 on their property taxes in 2015. This includes the basic $700 Education Property Tax Credit and a $400 top-up for eligible households with an income of $40,000 or less. About 17,000 senior homeowners already have their school taxes fully

covered by the basic education property tax credit and seniors’ school tax rebate. An additional 6,700 senior households will no longer pay school taxes with the expanded 2015 Seniors’ School Tax Rebate. ease rent increases linked to less essential renovations by extending amortization periods for some capital improvements.

Examples of homeownership options for low-income Manitobans •

Helping eligible low-income homeowners (excludes people living on reserves) deal with emergency home repairs and major repairs (structural, plumbing, fire safety, electrical or heating) by providing financial support through programs such as the Manitoba Emergency Repair Program for Homeowners and the Homeowner Renovation Assistance Program. By March 31, 2015, over $3.4 million was committed to help homeowners with repairs and renovations.



Opening a new condominium building located in Point Douglas (Winnipeg) for low-income, first-time home buyers. Ten affordable 3-bedroom condos have been constructed. The property is managed by the Winnipeg Housing Rehabilitation Corporation.



Working with Habitat for Humanity to build and rehabilitate affordable Manitoba Housing properties for non-profit sale as single detached family units financed with affordable, no-interest mortgages. One hundred units have been developed in Winnipeg and 16 in rural communities.



Continuing support for asset building programs at SEED Winnipeg and other organizations that help low-income Manitobans save for homeownership options.



Helping low-to-moderate-income families new to homeownership with down payment and financial planning support.

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2. Actions to Increase and Prevent Erosion of Affordable and Social Housing Supply Accessing affordable, safe and suitable housing can be one of the biggest challenges low-income households face. Simply put, there is not enough housing available at rates that low-income Manitobans can afford. Supply has still not recovered since 1993 when the federal government withdrew from providing social housing, leaving the job to provinces and municipalities instead. In Manitoba, the affordable housing shortage has worsened with rising rents and conversion of rental housing into condominiums. Addressing low rental vacancy rates is a precursor to tackling the affordable housing challenge faced by low-income Manitobans. The Manitoba government will continue to encourage and support private and non-profit housing developers to build new rental housing units at affordable rates. But non-profit and private sector developers cannot take sole responsibility for providing affordable rents for low-income families. Manitoba recognizes this by remaining committed to directly increasing affordable and social housing supply while supporting maintenance and repair of the existing stock.

Actions in Progress: providing housing assistance to approximately 35,500 social and affordable housing units18 sustaining and improving Manitoba Housing’s existing social and affordable housing stock through renovations, exterior upgrades, deep refreshes and accessibility adaptations. In 2014/15, there were a total of 12 deep refresh projects underway in Brandon, Carman, McCreary, The Pas and Winnipeg affecting an estimated 650 units.

providing eligible landlords of rental properties or rooming houses with financial assistance to repair or restore their property to a minimum level of health and safety, through the Rental Housing Improvement Program. Units must be leased to low-to-moderate income households and rented at or below the affordable rent amount for the community where the property is located. providing municipalities with innovative tools to help create more opportunities for affordable housing. These include legislation that enables planning districts and municipalities to use zoning bylaws and development agreements that require providing affordable housing in new residential developments. offering the Rental Housing Construction Tax Credit to private and non-profit housing developers as a new financial incentive to develop new rental and affordable rental units. The eight per cent tax credit is available to eligible landlords who ensure that at least 10 per cent of new units have rents at or below affordable rental rates for five years. partnering with Frontier School Division on the Ready-to-Move project, providing students in the adult carpentry program at the Frontier Collegiate Institute’s Northern Technical Centre with practical work skills, while building affordable housing for families in northern communities. In 2014, two three-bedroom family homes were completed in Cranberry Portage. They are being rented to families with low-to-moderate incomes on a RGI basis.

18 As of March 31, 2015, Manitoba Housing provides housing assistance to approximately 35,500 households through various programs. Manitoba Housing supports approximately 18,200 households with housing assistance through 14,200 housing units it owns and operates, and a further 4,000 units that are owned by Manitoba Housing and managed by non-profits/co-operative sponsor groups or property management agencies. Manitoba Housing also provides subsidy and support to housing cooperatives, Urban Native and private non-profit groups operating housing, assisting a further 17,300 families and individuals with their housing needs (including 4,300 persons in personal care home or specialized program beds).

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promoting the Live Downtown program, a progressive funding model with subsidies for private rental housing developers meeting basic criteria such as making 10 per cent of units affordable in all projects. It is anticipated that between 750 and 900 new units of mixed-income rental housing will be constructed in downtown Winnipeg through the tax increment financing of Live Downtown. Conditional approvals were given selected projects in spring 2015. maintaining and improving the quality of rooming houses as a housing option for low-income tenants, including vulnerable populations, through the Rooming House Action Plan . It encourages successful tenancies with support for tenants and landlords. The Action Plan has resulted in: Rooming House Assistance Program – a new rooming house-specific repair and renovation program; Rooming House Workshop Series – providing up-to-date, consistent information to community and government staff working with rooming hours tenants and landlords; Information sessions and one-on-one assistance from the Residential Tenancies Branch for rooming house landlords; and Coordination with the Rooming House Task Force, co-chaired by Provincial and City of Winnipeg representatives; and Providing ongoing funding for housing positions in West Broadway, Spence and the North End (Winnipeg).

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2015 and Beyond: continue to deliver on a public commitment, to enable the delivery of 500 new affordable housing and 500 new social housing units. As at November 1, 2015, 273 affordable units and 191 social housing units have been committed.19 continue to deliver on the three year commitment to invest $100 million annually in the restoration and redevelopment of provincially-owned housing stock and $34 million annually in repairs to provide quality homes for individuals and families. Manitoba Housing continues to work towards this commitment and, as at November 1, 2015, had invested more than $318 million in major renovations and repairs. collaborate with the co-operative sector and other stakeholders to develop a strategy to promote, stimulate and sustain co-operative housing in Manitoba extending the Rental Housing Construction Tax Credit to 2019, a program helping to address the shortage of rental housing in Manitoba. As at March 31, 2015, Manitoba Housing had processed preliminary applications representing 125 affordable units and approximately $2.4 million in tax credits. a four-year agreement will be finalized between Manitoba Housing and the Frontier School Division to develop up to two new homes per year in communities within the division as part of the successful Ready-to-Move project.

Commitment count includes approved and conditionally-approved units, and are subject to change.

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Brandon: The Hidden Toll of an Economic Boom Brandon – Manitoba’s second largest city – has been described as the vanguard of the new western economy.9 It has growth, diversity, low unemployment and a population boom. Businesses are hiring and, for most part, the quality of life in Brandon is considered high. Yet, HungerCount 2013 profiled this thriving centre as a community of extremes including people who prosper and people with precarious employment, low income, food insecurity and serious housing needs.10 The population of Brandon is 46,000, but there were only 3,332 private units for rent (as of April 2015).11 Vacancy rates are low (1.3 per cent for bachelor suites, 1.3 per cent for one-bedroom units, one per cent for two-bedroom units and 1.5 per cent for units with three-bedrooms and more) and rents are rising (averaging $788 in April 2015).12 Home ownership is out of reach for many, with new single-detached homes selling for an average of over $400,00013 and resale prices averaging over $260,000.14 The demand for housing in Brandon is earnest. The Manitoba government has taken action to offer more affordable and social housing in this community: •

launching a new partnership in 2014 between the Manitoba government and City of Brandon to create more affordable housing by jointly engaging with community groups to develop housing projects at five new sites.15 Manitoba Housing and the City of Brandon will jointly select third-party developers for municipally-owned sites.16



building Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council (DOTC) Affordable Rental Housing for Families, accommodating 14 units on an RGI basis



setting affordable rental rates (for units with and without utilities) lower than the maximum affordable rent levels set by CMHC,17 for the units it has agreements for or owns



contributing to the development of the Western Manitoba Seniors’ Non-Profit Co-operative, a complex with 34 units, with six units offered to tenants on an RGI basis



launching a multi-year partnership in 2015 between Manitoba government and the Manitoba Métis Federation to support high-quality and affordable housing for Métis families.

The Brandon example illustrates an important point: prosperity and availability of affordable housing do not necessarily go hand-in-hand. Even communities with robust economies face challenges to meet the housing needs of citizens with low incomes. No community can rely on the private market alone to meet the shelter needs of all residents. For the public sector, addressing housing issues is not only about wealth creation, it is also about understanding economic dynamics, labour markets and demographics. Ultimately, it is about understanding communities and working together to create local solutions.

Food Banks Canada (2013), HungerCount 2013. Toronto: Food Banks Canada. Page 8. Ibid. 11 Manitoba Bureau of Statistics, 2011 Census of Population: Population and Dwelling Counts – Manitoba Overview. February 8, 2012. Page 4. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Rental Market Report – Manitoba Highlights. Released: Spring 2015. 2015. Page 6. 12 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Rental Market Report – Manitoba Highlights. Released: Spring 2015. 2015. Page 5. 13 CMHC, Housing Now Tables– Prairie Region. Released: Fourth Quarter 2015. 2015. Page 38. 14 Brandon Real Estate Board Inc., City of Brandon Residential Home Sales. 2014. From the website: http://www.breb.mb.ca/index.php/stats. Accessed on June 16, 2015. (Note: Includes duplexes, townhouses, single attached and detached homes). 15 Province of Manitoba, Province, City of Brandon Take Next Steps in Strategy to Create More Safe, Affordable Housing, News Release. March 31, 2014. Available at: http://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?archive=&item=30261. 16 The selection of third-party developers will be based on a number of forthcoming requests for proposal processes. 17 CMHC, Advancing Affordable Housing Solutions, 2013. Page 8. Data also provided by Manitoba Housing and Community Development. 9

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3. Actions to Provide Appropriate Housing with Supports for Manitobans with Unique Needs The Manitoba government understands that many people need more than just affordable, safe and suitable housing to live independently and participate fully in the community. Some face unique barriers that perpetuate exclusion. Actions are needed to ensure that these households can access the services and supports needed to overcome housing barriers. Individualized services and supports are required and beneficial for many Manitobans, including: - seniors - members of a visible minority - people with physical disabilities - those who live with mental health problems or illnesses - persons experiencing homelessness -

Manitobans who are in transition (i.e., having overcome additions, been a victim of domestic violence, returned from military service, or exited the justice system).

Actions in Progress: increasing the mobility, safety and independence of people who find it difficult to do everyday tasks in their home through the Residential Adaptations for Disabilities Program. Forgivable loans and grants are available to eligible lowincome homeowners and landlords of affordable rental units to help with the cost of adaptations. By March 31, 2015, over $500,000 had been committed for adaptations in 39 units. offering the Community Wellness Initiative, which provides weekly group programs and one-on-one outreach to tenants of Manitoba Housing buildings located in Beausejour, Morden, Portage La Prairie, Selkirk, Winkler and Winnipeg, helping to improve quality of life and prevent evictions.

providing Manitobans who have experienced homelessness with integrated supports to establish and maintain successful tenancies. Examples of recent efforts include: Manitoba Housing works with the Resource Assistance for Youth’s Emergency Shelter and Transition (REST) program that supports youth experiencing homelessness with accommodations and a focus on successful tenancies and skill development. project partners such as Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre and Mount Carmel Clinic cooperate in housing first approaches. They help homeless individuals’ access community housing, intensive case management and assertive community treatment, while addressing individual challenges that contribute to homelessness. new supportive housing units have been built for individuals with mental health problems and illnesses, including Concordia Village and Sara Riel Supportive Housing in Winnipeg and U-Turn housing for homeless youth in Brandon (built by Youth for Christ Westman). the Bell Supportive Housing project is a renovated former Single Room Occupancy hotel providing supportive housing and rent subsidies to individuals who had been chronically homeless. The Main Street Project provides on-site 24-hour support to residents. Project Breakaway, initiated by the Winnipeg Police Service, helps participants get off the streets and move into healthier lifestyles using a housing first and harm reduction approach. Case management services are provided by the Main Street Project.

Action Plan: Housing

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Community Housing with Supports is a program delivered by the Canadian Mental Health Association (Winnipeg) that helps locating housing and support services for individuals with complex needs, including mental health problems, illnesses and homelessness.

Manitoba Health, Healthy Living and Seniors supports 45 transitional housing beds, located at Addictions Recovery Inc., Esther House, and Two Ten Recovery Inc.

clinical and housing support services, along with housing subsidies, are made available to former federal At Home/Chez Soi project residents, providing access to safe, affordable housing for individuals with chronic homelessness issues and those with mental health problems and illnesses.

River Point Centre – a multi-agency, multiservice facility will operate 30 transitional housing units with a complete program of addictions care, including intake and screening, outreach, non-medical detox, residential treatment, day programming and continuing care (the housing units are expected to be fully operational and to receive tenants by January 2016).

Homeless Outreach Mentors offer mentorship support at four provincial shelters (one location each in The Pas and Thompson and two locations in Winnipeg) and four community resource organizations (in Winnipeg and Brandon) to link homeless individuals to housing, social and health services in their communities. the Health Outreach and Community Support (HOCS) team provides on-site support to clients of Winnipeg agencies that are engaged with individuals who are homeless or precariously housed. HOCS provides psychiatric and clinical consultation, community mental health engagement and links to other health services and necessary supports. Project Northern Doorway, a community collaboration in Thompson, helps homeless individuals find housing and helps them achieve successful tenancies. Funding a continuum of addiction services offered by external agencies, including transitional beds and transitional housing units, providing safe, substance-free, temporary housing for individuals who have completed an addictions treatment program. Transitional housing is also available for individuals exiting correctional facilities. The following are examples of funding recipients:

the Main Street Project provides 34 supportive housing beds at their Winnipeg facility.

the Native Women’s Transition Centre’s Kihiw Iskewock (Eagle Women) Lodge provides long-term, safe transitional housing and wrap-around cultural services and supports for women of indigenous ancestry who are exiting correctional facilities. Winding River Therapeutic Community pilot project provides incarcerated individuals within the Headingley Correctional Centre with a holistic approach to treatment and recovery through programming focused on developing healthy life skills as well as opportunities for employment. It also has a post-release, “second stage” housing relationship with Manitoba Housing and Red Road Lodge that offers 10 suites for participants (on an emergent basis) to be used for transitional/ long term housing for individuals who have successfully completed a 30-day transitional placement. providing housing and shelter options to meet the needs of Manitobans coping with situations of family violence by: funding residential second stage programs offering protection and affordable housing, for up to one year, for women and children who have experienced family violence and have complex needs. Programs also provide comprehensive emotional and practical

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support including individual and group counselling, parenting support, information and referral to other supportive services, as well as second stage follow-up support. offering accessible and appropriate supports, such as emergency shelters (for women and men), which provide protective, emergency accommodations on a 24-hour basis, seven days a week. Support services include residential and non-residential crisis intervention, individual and group counselling, protection planning, children’s counselling, parenting support and follow-up support. assisting Manitobans awaiting trial or sentencing receive help with access to suitable housing by connecting them to organizations offering bail supervision programs that provide housing and support related to employment, education, addictions and mental health problems and illnesses, to help break the cycle of incarceration. supporting Men are Part of the Solution, a twelve-unit transitional residence in Thompson. Manitoba’s Family Violence Prevention Program provides core funding for community-based counselling for men with abusive behaviours, with a focus on improving healthy relationships and commitment to non-violence.

How Manitoba Housing Supports the Aging in Place Strategy: As property manager, it provides support services for 61 social housing units in Dauphin, Neepawa, The Pas and Winnipeg. Funding is provided for new projects in Riverton and Springfield that include supportive housing for seniors. In collaboration with regional health authorities, it supports SSGL programs in 27 Manitoba Housing-owned buildings by providing office space, storage and use of common areas for activities.

providing stable financial support for some non-profit organizations that play an important role in providing Manitobans with access to safe, affordable and suitable housing under Manitoba’s Reducing Red Tape for Non Profit Organizations Strategy. For example, Macdonald Youth Services offers placement and community support services to children and youth in need of care in The Pas, Thompson, Winnipeg and surrounding communities. Manitoba helps seniors (and other Manitobans who require supportive housing) to age in place by providing housing supported in various ways: home-based services such as Home Care, helps eligible individuals with their daily activities or health needs. support to Seniors in Group Living (SSGL) provides services for tenants of seniors’ housing to help them accomplish activities that allow them to remain in their communities. Support varies widely and may include one-to-one support, helping individuals with appointments and transportation, as well as helping to organize social activities and meal programs. Supportive Housing offers residents access to 24-hour personal support services (meals, laundry, housekeeping) and supervision in community-based group residences. specialized supports provide services to individuals with health and personal care needs so that they can live in the community. Supports may be delivered in group or individual residential settings and in day program settings. Hospital Home Teams, provide health care and links to social services for clients who may be at risk for premature personal care home placement, increased visits to emergency departments or acute care admissions.

Action Plan: Housing

new personal care homes are being established in rural Manitoba (Lac du Bonnet and Morden) and in Winnipeg (Holy Family Home). Winnipeg has a net total of 200 new personal care home beds.

2015 and Beyond: ensure that all new social housing units built meet the accessibility standards for Manitobans with disabilities. continue to provide Manitobans who have experienced homelessness with integrated supports to establish and maintain successful tenancies. invest more than $1.5 million in Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata and Resource Assistance for Youth (RAY) to create new resources to support high-risk youth during emergencies, help them stabilize their lives and give them the supports they need to succeed in school This includes: funding RAY to expand resources under its emergency shelter and transition program (REST) with Safe Suites and Transitional Housing Programs. Safe Suites will provide short-term emergency housing for youth facing placement breakdowns or exiting the judicial system with no immediate housing options. The Transitional Housing Program will provide seven units with educational, employment and cultural supports to help youth in care transition into adulthood successfully. funding Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, in collaboration with Pathways to Education, for the Youth Housing Program, offering a longterm supportive living program for Indigenous youth and young adults in Winnipeg who are at risk of dropping out of high school. This new program will start with six beds with an additional eight beds being added in 2017.

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provide funding support for End Homelessness Winnipeg, an agency developed through the Winnipeg Task Force to End Homelessness, to coordinate delivery of the Long Term Plan to End Homelessness, including delivery of a centralized intake and assessment system to provide access to appropriate services for homeless individuals. continue to work with partners to improve access to safe, affordable housing and supports for people with mental health problems and illnesses through Rising to the Challenge, Manitoba’s Mental Health Strategic Plan. expand and improve the provision of housing and shelter options with supports to meet the needs of Manitobans coping with situations of intimate partner violence or family violence by: developing a streamlined intake process and assessment of supports for victims of domestic violence who apply for social housing. continuing to invest in capital improvements to shelters and other family violence facilities across the province that are owned by Manitoba Housing. exploring the development of supports for agencies and individuals to meet the needs of women who use shelters funded by the Family Violence Prevention Program. continue to implement strategies that allow seniors (and other Manitobans who require housing with supports) to age in place at home and access community-based services offered along a continuum of care, including: ongoing development of the services of Home Care for older Manitobans who live independently, and in group living and supportive housing facilities. providing provincial policy to better address the needs of low-to-moderate income seniors living in government subsidized housing, thus reducing premature personal care home placement, addressing gaps in the seniors’ housing continuum, and better facilitating aging in place.

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Action Plan: Housing

offering Social Housing Assisted Living to low-income seniors who live in social housing. This includes the redevelopment of Ellice Place (Winnipeg), a 118 unit housing option for seniors aged 65 and older who are able to live independently but need some assistance with daily tasks. Rents will be geared to income and a service package, including meals, linen service, light housekeeping and recreational activities, will be provided to all tenants. ensuring there are enough long-term care beds to meet the needs of Manitobans, including developing specialized environments and services for unique populations such as those with dementia (for example, a 10-bed special care unit is being built as part of the addition to Holy Family Home (Winnipeg). developing innovative ways to deliver services to improve care for personal care home residents, investments include: delivering a new Safe Resident Handling Program for personal care home staff to reduce the number of lift and transfer-related workplace injuries to personal care home staff.

Moving Forward Through this action plan, the government commits to building on important housing initiatives that contribute to and help sustain healthy communities across Manitoba. A community advisory committee will be tasked to monitor implementation of this action plan and advise the minister of Housing and Community Development on current and future actions.

“I believe the most important thing that can be done for Manitobans living in poverty is to build more subsidized housing (or to increase the EIA rent rates). There is currently absolutely not enough affordable, safe and secure housing. As well, if such housing had programs (ex. Outreach) available to support tenants to maintain their housing, all the better. Unfortunately, securing housing in Manitoba is not enough, given that many landlords are able to evict tenants who do not behave in particular ways. Some of us need help in maintaining housing and I believe that support should be provided alongside the much needed subsidized housing programs.” - 2013 All Aboard Survey Respondent

“The motivation for change should be based on the need for all Manitoba children to have secure housing, food, clothing, and well being. As a long time educator, I witnessed when children had these needs met, they flourished.” - 2013 All Aboard Survey Respondent

Action Plan: Housing

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A community economic development approach to housing Investments in affordable and social housing provide multiple pathways out of poverty. Housing provides the stability that is needed for Manitobans with limited incomes to participate in education, training and employment opportunities and become economically independent. In support of this, in 2014, the Manitoba government began work on a commitment to build 500 social and 500 affordable housing units over a three-year period. The Manitoba government can maximize housing investments when low-income Manitobans with barriers to employment are trained and offered opportunities to assist in renovations and improvements to housing stock. The government has been partnering with social enterprises to create opportunities for low-income Manitobans to participate in housing improvement activities. This community economic development approach to housing not only creates training and job opportunities for local Manitobans with barriers to employment, but also contributes to poverty reduction, renewed communities, a stronger local economy and a more sustainable environment. Examples of such programming include: •

supporting partnerships with non-profit organizations and social enterprises that are training and employing low-income Manitobans who have barriers to employment through apartment maintenance and construction contracts, and providing employment opportunities in Manitoba Housing-owned properties and the Trades Central training facility. The province has partnered with the Brandon Energy Efficiency Program, Building Urban Industries for Local Development (BUILD), Genesis, Inner City Renovations, Manitoba Green Retrofit and the North End Community Renewal Corporation’s (NECRC) Building Construction Maintenance Program (BCMP).



expanding partnerships with non-profit organizations and social enterprises such as BUILD and NECRC’s BCMP with the creation of an apprenticeship program that seeks to create employment and training opportunities for social housing tenants and Employment and Income Assistance participants.



working in partnership with Manitoba Hydro to enable Aki Energy Inc., a social enterprise, to provide training and jobs for residents of the Peguis, Fisher River, Long Plain, Sagkeeng and Chemawawin First Nations, and new economic opportunities for First Nations-owned construction companies. To date, locally trained workers have retrofitted over 200 homes with geothermal energy installations.



In March 2015, the Manitoba government, Manitoba Hydro and Aki Energy Inc. signed memorandums of understanding with Peguis First Nation and Fisher River Cree Nation to retrofit of 850 homes with geothermal technology over five years.



partnering with the federal government and First Nations communities to provide training and employment opportunities addressing local community economic development needs An example is the Island Lake Retrofit and Training Initiative that is retrofitting 674 homes, improving access to clean drinking water and getting local residents job-ready.

Notes

: Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion Strategy

Available in alternate formats upon request.

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