Addressing Winnipeg’s housing crisis

St. Norbert – Seine River

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/05/2024 (523 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Municipalities across Canada including the city of Winnipeg are struggling with critical housing shortages, is a multi-faceted issue with deep-rooted causes. This crisis has several fronts, which include but are not limited to soaring housing prices, escalating rents, and an inadequate supply of affordable housing across the country.

One of the major factors affecting this crisis is the population growth we are experiencing through immigration policies. Canada has experienced significant population growth over the past few decades. This population growth has put immense pressure on the housing market, particularly in major urban centres such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, where demand for housing far outpaces supply.

Government policies and regulations play a significant role in exacerbating the housing shortage. Zoning restrictions, land-use regulations, and permitting processes can hinder the development of new housing projects, leading to supply constraints.

Additionally, policies related to taxation, mortgage lending, and foreign investment can influence housing market dynamics and contribute to affordability challenges. The recently announced federal Housing Accelerator Fund asks municipalities to rewrite zoning bylaws to consider as-of-right housing within 800 metres of a transit corridor.

Income inequalities exacerbate the housing shortage by making it difficult for many Canadians to afford it. Despite the overall strength of the Canadian economy, wages have not kept pace with the rising cost of living. As a result, a growing number of Canadians are forced to allocate a disproportionate amount of their incomes to housing, leaving little room for other essential expenses.

Addressing Winnipeg’s housing shortage will require an approach that addresses both supply and demand factors as well as overall sustainability. This includes implementing policies to streamline the development approval process and increasing investment in affordable housing initiatives.

Additionally, efforts to improve wage growth, reduce income inequality, and enhance social assistance programs can help alleviate the financial burden of housing costs. Only through concerted efforts from government, industry and civil society can Canada hope to address its housing shortage.

In mid-April my office assisted Al Wiebe with the planning and execution of the second Human Rights Symposium on Homelessness and Poverty. Not-for-profit agencies from across the city, offering a range of services, convened at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights to listen to persons who have experienced homelessness and the barriers they faced to being rehoused.

We are compiling information to better inform each level of government on implementing actionable solutions to eradicate homelessness. There is so much work to do, but I am encouraged by the intent and abilities of those providing these services who are engaged and will work tirelessly to address these multifaceted and complex issues.