Compassion creates housing solution in St. B

St. Boniface

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This article was published 20/12/2023 (657 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba is facing a housing crisis that has steadily worsened over the years. Combining this with a much-needed and growing immigrant population, we must innovate more than ever and create housing solutions such as Les Suites Marion, built by the Réseau Compassion Network on Marion Street in Saint-Boniface.

Created by the Grey Nuns in 2000, RCN is responsible for 13 health and human-service agencies here in Manitoba, including important organizations such as St. Boniface Hospital, St. Amant, Sara Riel, Centre Flavie, Action Marguerite, and Ste-Rose Hospital, to name a few. The Network provides many different programs and services to all people as part of our integrated provincial health and human service system.

Réseau Compassion Network recently launched its revised strategic plan. By working alongside community partners, it will expand its activities by developing responses that provide meaningful and impactful outcomes for people in Manitoba facing multiple barriers, such as complex poverty and access to housing.

As an example, Réseau Compassion Network recently opened Les Suites Marion, a project designed to foster a thriving and inclusive community. This new, 48-unit mixed housing complex in St. Boniface offers 20 deep affordable housing options with support services for those facing additional barriers to housing. It is doing so in partnership with other RCN organizations, including Sara Riel, St. Amant, and Abri Marguerite, along with its community partner. Accueil Francophone. Their goal is to ensure people living with mental health issues, developmental disabilities and new Canadians can all reach their full potential in an affordable, safe and quality place they can call home.

The Marion Street housing complex is home to Réseau Compassion Network’s main offices and a gathering space for meditation, courses, and workshops on mindful self-compassion. All residents of Les Suites Marion enjoy an exterior balcony, in-suite laundry, storage facilities and access to the main floor multi-purpose room. RCN has also partnered with Peg City Car Co-op to assign a vehicle to the building’s parking lot for reliable use. Reseau Compassion Network describes Les Suites Marion as their “signature social justice project.” I know that RCN is hard at work looking for other ways in which their strong Network can serve our community.

I want to thank Réseau Compassion Network for reminding Manitobans and this government how impactful the power of compassion is. I look forward to continued collaboration with RCN to see if additional innovative housing solutions can be found to meet our growing affordable housing needs.

Thank you for your overwhelming support and for trusting me as your Legislature representative. If you have any concerns or issues you’d like to share, please email me at robert.loiselle@yourmanitoba.ca