Manitoba launches online affordable housing portal

Key Takeaways:

• Manitoba has introduced the “Housing Starts Here” online portal, streamlining the application process for a new $26-million capital grant program aimed at helping non-profits, Indigenous governments, and municipalities develop affordable housing.
• The program allows for forgivable loans to repurpose or construct housing units and includes rent supplements and funding for support services, addressing housing affordability and the needs of those at risk of homelessness.
• The Manitoba government increased the PDF to $5 million, providing non-profits with grants and loans to cover professional services and support projects from the proposal stage to financing, boosting the capacity to develop affordable housing.

The Whole Story:

The Manitoba government is making it easier for organizations to secure funding to build affordable housing so more Manitobans can find a home.

“Manitoba is growing, and the affordable housing challenge we face today calls for a fresh new approach and the ability to quickly respond to the needs of our partners in the non-profit housing sector including Indigenous governing bodies and municipalities,” said Housing, Addictions and Homelessness Minister Bernadette Smith. “By focusing on new investments and program enhancements, our government is accelerating the creation of more affordable housing options for Manitobans who need them.”

The new Housing Starts Here online portal is simplifying the application process for a new $26-million capital grant program for non-profit organizations, Indigenous governments and municipalities, which will support the development of 350 social housing units in 2024-25, noted the minister.

Through the new ongoing intake application portal, interested organizations can apply for forgivable loans to acquire existing buildings that could be renovated into new social housing units, renovate derelict stock or construct new units. The portal will also include applications for rent supplements to ensure rents remain low and funding for support services to ensure people experiencing or at risk of homelessness have access to the services they need to stay housed, the minister noted.

“The new portal, along with the increase in funding, will make it easier for non-profits such as Westminster Housing to meet the need for deeply affordable housing in our communities,” said Brian Pincott, chair, Westminster Housing Society. “This program not only provides more funding, but it facilitates processes that work for the housing providers, giving us the flexibility to take advantage of opportunities as they arise to help meet the growing need for safe, secure and affordable housing.”

In addition to the $26 million for Housing Starts Here portal, the province is also increasing the Proposal Development Fund (PDF) to $5 million for non-profit organizations to access capital grant funding. PDF loans assist organizations to engage professional services to help bring their affordable housing proposals to the financing stage. Grants of up to $250,000 will be available through the fund, which will also offer repayable loans of up to $50,000.