Home sweet home

St. Boniface

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This article was published 13/09/2023 (753 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An inclusive new community is being built in the heart of St. Boniface.

Les suites Marion is a new residential building, located at 156 Marion St., that offers a combination of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites. The first leases in the building took effect on Sept. 1.

The building is controlled and operated by Réseau Compassion Network, which has also just moved its offices into the ground floor. The organization has partnered with Peg City Car Co-op to have a vehicle assigned to its parking lot.

According to its website, RCN is responsible for a family of health, social, and human service agencies in Manitoba, and its services focus on five main areas of care: primary, community and mental health care; acute care; long-term care; services to people living with developmental disabilities; and housing and social services. Partner organizations include Accueil Francophone Centre Flavie, Marymound, Sara Riel and St. Amant, to name but a few.

“Our goal is not to simply put a roof over people’s heads,” said Bob Lafreniere, Réseau Compassion Network’s chief financial officer and lead project manager, noting the key role played by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation in helping the development become a reality.

“When you’re targeting vulnerable populations, you have to consider factors such as affordability.”

He said 20 of the 48 units are being offered at subsidized rates to individuals and families connected with Réseau’s partner organizations to fill a need in the community and provide, safe affordable housing, whether it’s for new Canadians, or people living with disabilities or mental health issues. Wrap-around, support services provided by these organizations will be available. The remaining suites are being leased privately at market value.

Lafreniere pointed out that Les suites Marion is not only close to Winnipeg Transit routes and many shops, amenities, clinics and pharmacies in St. Boniface, it’s also close to St. Boniface Hospital, a legacy of the Grey Nuns.

Noting that the concept of complex poverty has any number of layers, Lafreniere emphasized the important of fostering the culture of inclusion at 156 Marion St.

“People can face many barriers, including a lack of inclusion,” he said. “Providing a roof over someone’s head is one thing, but creating a safe accessible building is a community and allow to it prosper is another. There’s been some thinking behind this.

“For us, the real work starts now. It’s about creating opportunities to help people overcome barriers and to make the most out of life, whether those barriers happen to be economic, physical, or intellectual. We’re also going to be putting a Peg City vehicle in there, as we’re trying to make it easier for folks.”

Lafreniere admitted there have, understandably, been a few nerves from time to time along the way, as key organizers wondered if the project was going to take off, but he’s happy with the traction Les suites Marion has been getting, and the interest it has garnered.

Visit www.lessuitesmarion.ca for more information.