Kinew government unveils homelessness strategy

The Kinew government has unveiled its plan to end chronic homelessness in the province. Jeff Keele has the details.

The Kinew government has released a blueprint aimed at ending chronic homelessness in the province by 2031.

Premier Wab Kinew unveiled the strategy dubbed “Your Way Home” at a news conference Tuesday.

“I made good on a second chance, and I have a deep, abiding faith in the people of this province that when given the chance, you can make good on a second chance as well, too,” Kinew said.

The strategy aims to move people experiencing homelessness in encampments into housing over a 30-day period through a ladder of social housing to affordable and market-based rentals.

Officials will start visiting encampments in February. Encampments will only be moved once housing is secured for every person. The encampment sites will then be decommissioned and cleaned up afterwards, the province said.

According to the province, 300 new social housing units were purchased for the initiative and will be supported by non-profit organizations.

‘Some of those will be in Manitoba Housing, some of those will be in the community, working with partners who are already doing great work in the community,” said Bernadette Smith, minister of housing, addictions and homelessness.

New Manitoba Housing units will be created by finding underutilized stock and helping households transition to the private or non-profit market by offering rent subsidies and buying new units, the province said.

Manitoba Housing will provide property management and food services at its permanent supportive housing buildings, and outside providers will be contracted to deliver support services and housekeeping, the province said.

Wraparound support and funding will also be available on-site, including flexible funding for people who are experiencing incidental homelessness to help successfully transition them back to housing.

The province is partnering with the city and several non-profits on the strategy.

Mayor Scott Gillingham said the plan is the result of many months of conversation and hard work from a joint working group.

“This plan I believe is the right approach, and I’m confident that in the weeks and months ahead, Winnipeggers will start to see meaningful change on our streets, in our parks, on the riverbanks, and in other public spaces,” Gillingham said.

Meanwhile, Siloam Mission executive director Tessa Blaikie Whitecloud has been hired as the premier’s senior advisor on ending chronic homelessness. Kinew said she will quarterback the strategy, calling her one of the sector’s MVPs.

According to Blaikie Whitecloud, the work to protect vulnerable people in the city is perhaps the hardest it’s ever been, but this strategy gives her hope.

“We all want to see Manitobans housed with dignity and able to thrive, an end to encampments and sleeping outside. In order to succeed, we have to work together on one plan, and that’s what I’m here to do,” she said.

The strategy is financed from a $116 million investment for the construction and upkeep of social and affordable housing initially announced in the 2024 budget.

The complete homelessness strategy can be read on the province’s website.