Manitoba to build more low income housing for aboriginal people

T he Governments of Canada, the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg, today announced $7.5 million for four Aboriginal housing projects to provide affordable accommodation for Winnipeg’s Aboriginal community.

 

The Honourable Kerri Irvin-Ross, Minister of Housing and Community Development, Rod Bruinooge, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and Mike Pagtakhan, city councillor for Point Douglas, made the announcement today in Winnipeg.

 

"Building affordable housing breathes new life into neighbourhoods by strengthening communities and providing a foundation for families," said Minister Irvin-Ross. "In communities across this province, HOMEWorks! is helping low-income Manitobans acquire their own homes."

 

"Our government is giving a hand-up to Canadians with housing needs, and is helping those seeking to break free of the cycle of homelessness and poverty," said Mr. Bruinooge. "Through these investments, various organizations in Winnipeg are able to help and support those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness."

 

"Projects like these that come to life with not only financial support, but support from the neighbourhood empowers those in our community with low-incomes and provides hope for the future," said Mr. Pagtakhan. "It can turn lives filled with uncertainly into lives that involve a safe, clean and comfortable place to come home to."

  

Funding provided for the projects through all three levels of government includes: 
 

·         $4.2million to Kekinan Housing Inc. to construct a three-storey 30-unit housing complex for low-to-moderate income Aboriginal seniors. 

·       $2.3 million to the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development to construct a 15-unit townhouse style complex, consisting of two buildings to provide affordable housing to low-income Aboriginal families. 

·       $504,000 to Manitoba Tipi Mitawa Inc for seven low-to-moderate-income first-time Aboriginal homeowners by providing down payment assistance and mortgage subsidies to eligible first-time homebuyers. 

·         $500,000 to Winnipeg Habitat for Humanity Inc to assist Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council to construct five homes for Aboriginal families.