Winnipeg, MB – The City of Winnipeg is receiving additional capital funding from the federal government under Round 3 of the Rapid Housing Initiative to support more local housing projects. The funding will be used to enhance the delivery of affordable housing units that support vulnerable people in Winnipeg including those experiencing homelessness.
“Finding homes for our most vulnerable citizens is one of my leading priorities as Mayor and I am pleased to see a continuation of this valuable partnership with the federal government,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham. “It is important for the City of Winnipeg to access any and all available support for housing projects, so we need local organizations to come forward with their project proposals.”
“In a short period of time, the Rapid Housing Initiative has been an incredibly impactful funding program as it’s led to the creation of over 100 new housing units in Winnipeg since 2020,” said Councillor Sherri Rollins, Chairperson of the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development. “I look forward to seeing more support provided to organizations that create housing for some of the most vulnerable and marginalized members of our community.”
The City is inviting proponents – which includes non-profits, businesses, developers, citizens, or anyone with great ideas that could help to address homelessness in Winnipeg — to identify any projects currently planned that may fit the parameters of the Rapid Housing Initiative and to submit an initial expression of interest detailing their project by Friday, February 3, 2023. Proponents can submit a project description through the submission form available at winnipeg.ca/rapidhousinginitiative.
“Even if organizations have proposals that may not be fully compliant with federal conditions for this round, we’re hoping they will consider submitting them to the City to help us develop a pipeline of potential housing projects,” said Mayor Gillingham. “We are already working to identify City-owned sites to support future housing proposals, since we want to be ready with more projects when future Rapid Housing funding rounds become available.”
Priority for the Rapid Housing Initiative will be given to projects that can demonstrate the following qualifications:
- Led by an Indigenous organization or government;
- Support women and/or women and children, particularly Indigenous women and children;
- Serve priority populations including people experiencing homelessness;
- Development site has already been secured.
- Construction can be completed within 18 months.
In order to qualify for support through the Rapid Housing Initiative, any individual project must contain a minimum of five units/beds and meet all program requirements including affordability as defined by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). Please visit the CMHC website for complete information on Rapid Housing Initiative program requirements.
The Government of Manitoba participated in proposal reviews in both previous rounds of the Rapid Housing Initiative and the City will continue to work with the Province in the delivery of this third round of program funding. Through Manitoba Housing, the Province is a critical provider of social services in Manitoba and partners with other governments, community organizations, and private groups to help create safe and affordable housing in Manitoba.
The City has completed two previous intakes of the Rapid Housing Initiative, disbursing a total of $25 million in support of local housing projects. These projects account for the creation of 134 new housing units in Winnipeg.