City Hall briefs

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This article was published 07/03/2024 (581 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Plan proposed for federal housing dollars

The City of Winnipeg is laying out a plan to use millions of federal housing dollars this year.

A new report suggests the city utilize up to $27.5 million in 2024 from federal housing accelerator funds. If council approves the plan, the cash would cover $25 million for a capital grant program to support new multi-family housing projects that include affordable housing, with an initial focus on the downtown. The remaining $2.5 million would fund staff and consultants to run the program.

If approved, a report due before year’s end would dictate how the remainder of the $122.4 million of federal housing accelerator funds promised for Winnipeg will be spent in future years.

Over the next three years, that funding is expected to produce 3,166 net new housing units.

If the plan is approved, the city expects to launch the capital grants program in June.

Waive landfill fees for Bay redevelopment: mayor

The City of Winnipeg could waive its landfill tipping fees to support the Southern Chiefs’ Organization’s redevelopment of the downtown Hudson’s Bay Company building.

In a new motion, Mayor Scott Gillingham estimates that disposing of materials, including hazardous substances and possible asbestos, would cost about $257,000 in tipping fees, as SCO works to develop its Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn project that includes housing units, assisted living for Indigenous elders, restaurants and cultural spaces.

The motion states SCO has already diverted 60 per cent of the project’s waste from city landfills by repurposing materials to other community groups but 40 per cent still needs to be discarded in a safe manner.

Council approval would be required to waive the fees.

CentreVenture could get new housing mandate

The CentreVenture Development Corp. could soon be tasked with delivering residential housing in the downtown.

A new motion from Mayor Scott Gillingham seeks to direct CentreVenture to focus primarily on helping the city meet housing construction targets and utilize $122.4 million from the federal housing accelerator fund.

The corporation could also be tasked with helping the city administer the federally funded housing initiatives, such as by providing a downtown, non-profit and/or affordable housing concierge.

If approved, CentreVenture’s mandate will be extended until April 30, 2029.

The corporation was founded in 1999 to lead downtown renewal.

The motion would require city council approval.