Winnipeg, MB - A new apartment building being built in the heart of Winnipeg and supported by the three levels of government will provide safe, supportive housing for immigrant and refugee women.
The announcement was made at today’s sod-turning for Marie Rose Place by Housing and Community Development Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross, Shelly Glover, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface and Jenny Gerbasi, Councillor for Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry and chair of the Winnipeg Housing Steering Committee.
Marie Rose Place is a 38,000-square-foot, 40-apartment, six-storey building that is being developed by Hargrave Holdings Ltd., which is contributing $2 million toward the project. It will support a distinct, vulnerable population: single women and children, who are new to Canada and have limited or no local family or community support.
It will be run by Holy Names House of Peace, which will offer a range of support programs and services to residents. Programs and services will be provided regardless of religious affiliation or cultural origin. Total estimated project costs are just over $9 million.
“Provincial funding of $2 million for Marie Rose Place contributes to Manitoba’s goal to increase the supply of quality housing for our most vulnerable citizens,” said Irvin-Ross. “Together, we can provide a strong foundation for Manitobans in need of affordable housing, especially those who do not have family and friends to support them in the community.”
The City of Winnipeg is contributing $990,000 in financial support to Marie Rose Place through the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS). The City administers HPS funding on behalf of the federal government.
“Our government is giving a hand up to vulnerable women to help them meet certain basic needs and break free from the cycle of homelessness and poverty,” said Glover. “By partnering with Hargrave Holdings Ltd. to provide essential services to people in need, we are doing our part to prevent and address homelessness in Winnipeg.”
“We are very pleased to be able to support this important facility that will serve as a safe haven for women and their children who have come here to make Winnipeg their home,” said Gerbasi. “Having a place to call home that is sensitive to cultural needs will help make the transition to life in our city that much easier for the women who find themselves here.”
“The pioneering spirit of newcomer women leads and challenges us to match their courage and resilience,” said Sister Lesley Sacouman of Holy Names House of Peace. “Marie Rose Place is a sign of our deep respect and commitment to them.”
Holy Names House of Peace has been delivering programming and shelter services to women for 10 years and will offer a range of support programs and services to future residents of Marie Rose Place. The new building will be located at 207 Edmonton St., next to House of Peace. All 40 suites will be offered on a rent-geared-to-income basis through the province’s Rent Supplement Program, up to $261,000 per year for five years.
Better housing is a part of the Manitoba Building and Renewal Plan, which will also help build the province’s critical infrastructure priorities including flood protection, roads, schools and health centres. Information about Manitoba’s three year plan is available at www.gov.mb.ca/housing/three_yr__plan