City seeking developers to build affordable housing on City-owned residential lots

Released: January 15, 2026 at 2:17 p.m.
Small Lots for Affordable Housing initiative supports ‘missing middle’ housing in Winnipeg

Winnipeg, MB – We are looking for partners to build affordable housing on City-owned residential lots. 

The Small Lots for Affordable Housing initiative will focus on what we call “missing middle” housing. Missing middle refers to multi-unit homes that fit within existing neighborhoods.

We have issued an expression of interest (EOI) seeking interested developers. The deadline to respond to the EOI is February 19, 2026.

The initiative will:

  • Rehabilitate vacant lots
  • Create affordable housing
  • Promote neighbourhood revitalization

“The federal government is committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing by working with municipalities to make better use of existing land," said Ben Carr, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre. “Initiatives like this are unlocking the potential of underused properties, and is made possible by our agreement with Winnipeg under the Housing Accelerator Fund.”

 “This turns vacant lots into homes and helps unlock more housing across Winnipeg,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham. “Vacant properties create gaps and risks in neighbourhoods, and the best way to address that is to put that land back to work. By focusing on smaller City-owned lots, we’re strengthening communities and adding more affordable housing where people already live.”

“This initiative is about creating housing that works for real people in real neighbourhoods,” said Councillor Evan Duncan, Chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Property & Development. Missing middle homes can help young families, seniors, and workers stay in the communities they love, while also making better use of City-owned land to address Winnipeg’s housing needs”

We will hold an information session at City Hall on Tuesday, January 27 at 1:30 p.m.

Details on the EOI and the information session are available at: winnipeg.ca/smalllots

The EOI includes key info for each of the 11 lots, such as:

  • Zoning details
  • Lot dimensions
  • Development potential
  • Servicing considerations

Sales will prioritize non-profit and Indigenous housing providers. Other EOI criteria includes:

  • Innovative approaches
  • Collaborative partnerships
  • Social impact

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