Winnipeg non-profit may have to leave building after being denied funding
A Winnipeg non-profit that provides housing, employment and volunteer opportunities to those experiencing homelessness may lose its building next month after it was denied funding.
On Thursday, Sscope Inc. said the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) denied its last attempt at securing funding from the Rapid Housing Initiative.
The non-profit noted that it was told by the Assiniboine Credit Union it would have to leave its building by Jan. 6 if it doesn’t come up with the money for a down payment.
Sscope said their building currently houses 46 people, as well as an additional 40 in their overnight emergency shelter.
The loss of the building will also affect Sscope’s casual, part-time and full-time staff, with the non-profit saying about 183 people will face the consequences of this loss.
Angela McCaughan, Sscope’s executive director, said in a news release that the powers that be are abandoning the most marginalized people in society.
“There's no reason for us to leave this building. This is their home. They know that they are safe here. We have everything in this building for them,” McCaughan said.
“We're serving the community, people know where to come to get food, they know where to come to get help, they know where to come to get a harvest hamper. We understand the challenges that people living with mental health issues face, and are one of the only organizations that provide wrap-around services to our guests and residents because we believe everyone is meant for significance.”
In a statement, a spokesperson for the CMHC said that everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to live.
The spokesperson noted that they can’t discuss specific projects for confidentiality purposes, but that there is significant interest in their Rapid Housing Initiative. They added that not everyone who submits an application will receive funding for their project.
“We will continue to work to make sure more Canadians have a safe and affordable place to call home and will work closely with unsuccessful applicants and other levels of government, to find positive housing solutions and outcomes through the National Housing Strategy,” the statement said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.