Winnipeg seeks $192M from feds for new housing

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This article was published 28/06/2023 (843 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The City of Winnipeg hopes to claim $192 million from a federal program to add thousands of new housing units.

The city has applied to secure the money from the $4-billion Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. housing accelerator fund, which aims to produce at least 100,000 net new units across the country.

“We want to draw down into Winnipeg as much federal housing funding as we can. I support that. This report shows a bold request to the federal government so that we can build as much housing as possible,” Mayor Scott Gillingham said Wednesday.

The mayor noted he campaigned on increasing Winnipeg’s housing supply, not only for folks struggling with homelessness but also to support seniors and newcomers.

The city’s application aims to add an extra 5,277 local housing units by September 2026, including 1,342 affordable ones. Most of the homes would be in multi-unit buildings.

“The actual funds that flow to the city will be determined by CMHC. The action plans will be scaled accordingly,” Moira Geer, Winnipeg deputy chief administrative officer, wrote in a public service report.

The report seeks council’s approval to let the city’s CAO negotiate and approve a deal to accept the money, should CMHC approve it. If the funding comes through, council is also asked to approve $1 million to hire staff to develop housing.

The city report notes the federal fund aims to support projects that get more homes built faster, speed up building processes, develop “complete communities,” support affordable and diverse communities and/or create low-carbon and climate-resilient areas.

City council is expected to vote on the recommendations July 13.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga