Government of Canada Invests in Winnipeg Homeless Shelter Renovation

WINNIPEG, April 16, 2019 /CNW/ - Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. That is why, in May 2018, the Government launched the National Housing Co-Investment Fund (NHCF), the largest program of its kind in Canadian history.

Today in Winnipeg, Robert Falcon-Ouellette, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and the Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), announced a federal government financial commitment of over 1.38 $ million for the Phase 2 renovation project of the Winnipeg Centre of Hope Main Building at 180 Henry Avenue.

Thanks to this commitment by the NHCF, a pillar initiative of the National Housing Strategy (NHS), and to the investments of other partners, notably the Thomas Sill Foundation Inc., the Manitoba Real Estate Association Shelter Foundation and the Winnipeg Foundation, this project by The Salvation Army in Canada will continue to provide emergency and transitional shelter and services to individuals with mental health or addiction issues who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

Winnipeg Centre of Hope provides temporary and transitional housing for people who are homeless, or at risk of being homeless, along with resources, tools and assistance needed to breakout of the cycle of homelessness. In 2017, the Winnipeg Centre of Hope provided refuge for 11,778 people, 113,491 sheltered bed nights were used and over 180,000 meals served (excluding emergency services meals).

Quotes

"Our Government is dedicated to helping those in need, which is why we are proud to be investing in this project. The Winnipeg Centre of Hope is more than just a safe and affordable place to spend the night, it is a key to a better life for the vulnerable individuals who come here when they have nowhere else to go." ? Robert Falcon-Ouellette, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre

"This project is about developing a space where men and women will be safe and feel respected.  We want to express our deepest gratitude to CMHC for coming alongside The Salvation Army in creating a "Centre of Hope" that will serve Winnipeg's most vulnerable citizens for years to come." ? Major Shawn Critch, Divisional Commander, Prairie Division, The Salvation Army

Quick Facts

• The Winnipeg Centre of Hope includes two buildings: the Main Building located at 180 Henry Avenue and the Family Shelter Building at 72 Martha Street.
• The Main Building has 7-storeys and was built in 1988. It houses 209 transitional shelter beds and 75 emergency shelter beds as well as the Winnipeg Centre of Hope main offices, programming spaces, kitchen and dining room.
• The repair/renovation project was initiated in September 2015. Started in September 2018, Phase II involves interior finishes, roofing, vestibule and kitchen upgrades.
• With it's renovated Main Building, the Winnipeg Centre of Hope aims to achieve energy savings of 30.2% and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 25.8% compared to the NECB 2015.
• Efforts have been made to make the Main Building barrier-free and accessible except where hindered by physical constraints.
• With a budget of $13.2 billion, NHCF gives priority to projects that help those in greatest need, including women and children fleeing family violence, seniors, Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, those dealing with mental health and addictions, Veterans and young adults.
• Through the NHCF, the Government of Canada will work with partners to build up to 60,000 new affordable homes and repair up to 240,000 existing affordable and community homes over the next 10 years.
• Investments are also planned in the NHCF to create or repair at least 4,000 shelter spaces for victims of family violence and create at least 7,000 new affordable housing units for seniors and 2,400 new affordable housing units for people with developmental disabilities.
• Under the Investing in Canada plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.

Associated Links

• As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. For more information, visit our website or follow us on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
• To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation