National Day of Action for Social Housing celebrated in Manitoba

The Province of Manitoba is joining national calls for the federal government to increase funding for social housing.

On Thursday at the Manitoba Legislative Assembly, Bernadette Smith, Manitoba’s minister of housing, addictions and homelessness, joined the Manitoba Coalition for the Right to Housing.

The event raises awareness of National Day of Action for Social Housing, which is celebrated on Friday.

“The lack of social housing is a major factor in the rise in homelessness,” Smith said.

“All of Manitoba must have access to safe and decent housing. Our government knows we can’t solve homelessness without homes.”

This is one of several events happening across the country as the social housing and human rights coalition calls for concrete action from the federal government.

In his call to action, he wants to see at least 50,000 new rental apartments dedicated to those experiencing homelessness available each year for the next 10 years. It also calls for investment in new and existing public, non-profit and cooperative housing.

“Despite similar efforts by housing advocates across the country, Canada is facing a housing crisis. Manitoba is no exception,” said Kirsten Bernas, chair of the Right to Housing Coalition’s provincial task force. “We are in this situation in part because we have relied on the private market for too long to meet all housing needs, and the private market simply does not produce housing that is affordable for low-income renters.”

In Manitoba, the Right to Housing Coalition wants to see at least 10,000 social housing units. It notes that the province has committed to building 350 new social housing units in its 2024 budget, and the city is supporting 231 social housing units.

“This is an important investment and it obviously needs to be increased if we are going to get to 10,000 units, but it will require significant federal leadership and investment,” Bernas said.

CTV News has reached out to the office of Sean Fraser, Canada’s Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, for comment.