Winnipeg, MB – Council has approved two new by-law amendments as part of our ongoing efforts to address vacant buildings.
The amendments allows us to create:
- A new Vacant Building Grant to help turn vacant and underutilized buildings into occupied homes
- A restructured annual Empty Building Fee to discourage property owners from keeping buildings vacant long-term
"At a time when Winnipeg needs more housing, we want to remove barriers to redevelopment and ensure vacant properties don't sit idle for years,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham. “Our Vacancy to Vitality strategy is about taking action. By combining stronger enforcement with new incentives for redevelopment, we're helping turn problem properties into community assets, reducing neighbourhood blight, and creating more housing options for Winnipeggers.”
“Residents have been clear — they want to see vacant buildings cleaned up and contributing to their communities,” said Councillor Evan Duncan, Chairperson of the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development. “The new Vacant Building Grant will help owners bring these properties back into use. This supports responsible property owners, while an enhanced Empty Building Fee will create more accountability for those who aren’t taking action.”
“Vacant buildings continue to affect neighbourhoods across Winnipeg by creating safety concerns, increasing fire risk, and leaving potential homes and economic activity unrealized,” said Councillor Vivian Santos, Chairperson of the Standing Policy Committee on Community Services. “Together, these new measures will help return more properties to use and build safer, stronger, and more vibrant communities.”
Applications open July 2 for new Vacant Building Grant
The Vacant Building Grant responds to the City’s 2025 Housing Needs Assessment, which identified the challenges posed by vacant buildings in Winnipeg. As of June 24, we are enforcing 801 vacant residential and commercial buildings under the Vacant Building By-law.
The grant will help bring these buildings back into use, support neighbourhood renewal, and create more affordable homes. It can be used to buy, repair, and/or renovate vacant buildings for housing.
A one-time total of $3 million is available. Grants are up to $35,000 per unit.
To learn more about the Vacant Building Grant, interested applicants can attend an information session on July 22, 2026.
To learn more, visit: winnipeg.ca/vacantbuildinggrant
Restructured Empty Building Fee now in effect
The restructured Empty Building Fee places stricter penalties on vacant building owners whose property has been subject to inspections.
Effective immediately:
- An annual fee will apply to properties subject to one or more Schedule A inspections — a decrease from three or more previously required.
- The fee will start at one percent of the property’s most recently assessed value and increase one percent every year it is applied to a maximum of five percent. This replaces the previous two percent fee applied every year.
On July 6, the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development will consider recommendations to use Empty Building Fee revenue to fund a new Vacancy to Vitality reserve.
If approved by Council, the reserve would support vacant building remediation and improvements to the taking-title-without-compensation process.
Taking action through the Vacancy to Vitality strategy
Last year, Council approved the new Vacancy to Vitality strategy to strengthen vacant building enforcement and identify new uses for these properties.
Initiatives undertaken since then have included:
- Awarding eight City-owned, vacant properties for housing development through the Small Lots for Affordable Housing Program. Recommendations for a ninth property will be considered at the July 6 meeting of the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development.
- Launching the Renovation Fee Waiver and Vacant Building Exemption programs to further encourage redevelopment of properties
- Enhancing boarding requirements and adding or increasing vacant building fees
- Streamlining the residential demolition permit process by removing the need for a building permit or public hearing
- Reducing the tax sale eligibility period from three years to two years to speed up property sales and remediation
- Developing criteria for accepting title to distressed properties voluntarily offered to the City
- Continuing the Unsafe Conditions Response Team — started as a pilot project in 2024 to respond quickly to properties impacted by fire, accidents, or neglect — until at least throughout 2026