Building a new approach to affordable housing

North End

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This article was published 05/04/2023 (979 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A construction company with a purpose aims to build affordable new homes in the North End.

With an innovative approach, Purpose Construction works in the upkeep and maintenance of social housing in Winnipeg’s inner city, using those job sites as training opportunities for its program participants.

In 2022, Purpose Construction launched Purpose Homes, which expanded its work to include the development of affordable, energy-efficient housing on vacant infill lots in the North End.

Last year, the organization piloted this program with a four-bedroom home at 351 Magnus Ave. — and now it’s expanding to add two more homes in the same neighbourhood.

“Through a combination of government funding and cost-savings associated with building the home as a non-profit and through our training program, we are able to subsidize the cost of construction and pass those savings along to low-income families who need access to safe and affordable housing,” Purpose executive director Kalen Taylor explained.

“The aim of this approach is to address the shortage of affordable housing in the area and to provide job training and employment opportunities for participants in Purpose Construction’s training program.”

The company provides paid training in the trades as well as employment experience for those who face barriers to employment.

“Specifically, we prioritize working with refugees and newcomer Canadians, Indigenous people, formerly incarcerated individuals, women and members of the LGBT+ community,” Taylor said.

“Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives through gainful employment in the construction industry.”

The training program covers a range of skilled trades, including concrete forming, framing, siding, roofing, insulation, energy-efficient building, drywalling, painting, finish carpentry, flooring and tile installation.

“We also prioritize safety training, covering construction safety protocols and proper tool use. Through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on work experience, our program provides individuals with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the construction industry,” Taylor said.

“We partner with local construction companies to provide job opportunities for program graduates, and we also provide ongoing support and mentorship to help ensure long-term success.”

At the same time, Purpose Construction is committed to promoting equity and inclusion in its training and employment programs.

“We believe that this work contributes to broader social impact in the community,” Taylor said.

“At Purpose Construction, we are proud to provide individuals with the skills, training and opportunities they need to build a brighter future for themselves and their families.”

Jubilee Fund, a non-profit financial services organization, recently provided $200,000 in financial support to Purpose Construction through a line-of-credit guarantee.

Peter Cantelon, Jubilee Fund executive director, said the organization offers lending assistance to other non-profits, social enterprises, businesses and individuals who are working to reduce poverty through programming, products and services.

“When we saw what Purpose Construction was doing with this very innovative new home ownership program, we were very interested in assisting them,” Cantelon said.

“This line of credit that we’re supporting allows them to have the cash available to purchase materials so they can move ahead with building these homes.”

To learn more about Jubilee Fund and its investment opportunities, visit jubileefund.ca. To learn more about Purpose Construction, visit purposeconstruction.ca