Manitoba Housing Waitlist Hits Record High Amid Growing Crisis

The waitlist for public housing in Manitoba has surged to over 7,500 individuals, marking the highest level since July 2020. This increase is attributed to ongoing challenges in the housing sector and a government focus on addressing homelessness. As of November 2023, the situation has become critical, with advocates expressing concern that families in need are being overlooked while the government concentrates on reducing homeless encampments.

A September 2023 investigation by CBC highlighted the crisis within Manitoba’s public housing system. At that time, the waitlist numbered over 5,000, alongside thousands of vacant units awaiting repairs. The situation has worsened, with the waitlist now exceeding 7,500, a significant rise from 5,313 in July of the same year.

Savanna Huard, a mother of four, has been on the waitlist for nearly six years. Currently residing in a cramped three-bedroom apartment in Winnipeg’s Central Park neighbourhood, Huard expressed her frustration, stating, “They just keep telling me that there’s no space available.” Her family is confined to inadequate living conditions, with her nine-year-old son sleeping in a converted closet and her twelve-year-old daughter’s bedroom located in the kitchen.

The high demand for housing is compounded by a low vacancy rate across the province. Manitoba’s Housing, Addictions and Homelessness Minister Bernadette Smith acknowledged the backlog, attributing it to a lack of new social housing developments during the previous government’s tenure. “It took minutes to sell, it takes years to build,” Smith stated, indicating the challenges ahead in creating sufficient housing stock.

Since the new NDP government took office in October 2023, there have been some positive strides. A total of 51 new social housing units have been constructed, with an additional 278 units currently under construction and 581 units in development. However, details on when these units will be completed remain unclear. Smith noted that increases to the repair and maintenance budget have allowed over 2,000 units to be returned to use.

The government’s “Your Way Home” strategy, launched earlier this year, aims to address chronic homelessness, with a goal to house approximately 700 individuals currently living in encampments by 2031. As of now, 239 people have been successfully housed, primarily through transitional housing units acquired by the government, with another 56 moving directly into Manitoba Housing.

Despite these efforts, concerns persist regarding the broader implications for low-income families. Shauna MacKinnon, a professor at the University of Winnipeg’s department of urban and inner-city studies, emphasized the need for a balanced approach. “The problem is when there’s not enough supply, there are a whole bunch of other people looking for housing that may not be homeless, but they’re living in really deplorable conditions,” she said.

Moreover, Marion Willis, executive director of St. Boniface Street Links, criticized the government’s reliance on social housing as the sole solution for homelessness. Her organization has successfully found housing for 386 individuals since April, utilizing the private sector to provide low-barrier housing options. “There is too much focus on subsidized housing or social housing being the only housing that should be made available to end homelessness,” she remarked.

As the Manitoba government continues to navigate this complex housing crisis, the urgency remains to address the needs of all low-income individuals, not just those in encampments. The situation demands innovative solutions and a commitment to expanding the housing supply to ensure everyone has access to safe and adequate living conditions.