‘We need more of these’

A West Broadway housing facility is providing affordable housing for people living with mental health issues.

Fountain Springs (184 Sherbrook St.) is a 30-unit apartment building located beside Clubhouse of Winnipeg Inc., an organization that provides support and programming for those with mental illness. Fountain Springs is a partnership between Clubhouse, which provided the property, and the provincial government.

Families minister Scott Fielding said although it wasn’t a project that began under the current government, it was one that seemed necessary to carry out.

"We’re happy with it and we think it’s a good model," Fielding said. "It provides that wraparound support, in that housing is a critical need."

Eighteen of the units are prioritized for people with mental health issues, many of whom access Clubhouse for daily and weekly support. In addition to the proximity to Clubhouse, the suites are also set at an affordable rate to accommodate those with low income.

"It’s the first one here in Winnipeg and we need more of these," Clubhouse of Winnipeg president Michael Mercury said. "We should have something in Brandon and maybe another in the City of Winnipeg. There’s demand for this and it keeps people out of hospitals and puts them in safe quarters at a lot less cost."

Mercury said the partnership with the government was prompted by their clients, many of whom were living in "deplorable conditions."

"Some couldn’t afford a bus pass, some had bedbugs, now they’re in safe conditions and they don’t have far to go," he said. "We’re very grateful to the province for doing this and making it a reality."

Mercury said he’s received many comments from the people who are already living in one of the affordable suites — many say it’s a relief to have their own place to call home, while others write to Mercury that the affordable rent "saved" them, that their previous homes were overcrowded or drug houses, full of pests, subject to theft and too small and dark.

"The building is very popular," he said.

"We need more of these so we can keep these people out of hospitals, which is very expensive, and this saves money for the taxpayer."

Fielding says the project cost just over $9 million and that the provincial government plans to work with the federal government in the future on similar projects.

"The (federal government) is looking to do a 10-year window of housing strategy at the national level, so we’re in engaged in our own so the province is engaged in the housing delivery element of things," Fielding said. While this project was solely provincially funded, Fielding said when it comes to housing as a whole, "All levels are working together."