A government funded initiative will provide a housing option for Roseau River Anishinaabe First Nation members in Winnipeg.
Representatives of the federal government, City of Winnipeg and Paragon Living in partnership with Roseau River Anishinaabe First Nation Trust last Friday announced a combined investment of $38.5 million in funding for 95 new homes in Winnipeg.
The Chancellor, located at 939 Chancellor Drive in Winnipeg, will be a seven-storey building with one, two and three bedroom apartments, and 38 of the 95 units will be affordable with rents below 70 per cent of the median market rent.
The affordable apartments will be open to Roseau River Anishinaabe First Nation membership first before being made available to the general public.
Construction began this summer and is expected to be completed within 18 months.
The facility will feature heated underground and surface parking, an outdoor common patio space and a residents lounge and multipurpose room for small events. Most units will have a balcony, and all will have in-suite laundry as well as included water and high-speed internet.
“We’re excited to invest in this building to build a brighter future for Roseau River university students, seniors, and others who wish to live in Winnipeg,” said Gary Roberts, chief of Roseau River Anishinaabe First Nation. “We envision a building that is a welcome home for members of the general public as well and feel this kind of development is an exemplary way to move reconciliation forward in a positive way that benefits everyone.”
“Everyone deserves an affordable place to call home in their own community,” said Terry Duguid, Winnipeg South MP on behalf of Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing Infrastructure and Communities. “Today’s investment for The Chancellor is delivering just that, adding 95 more homes for Roseau River Anishinaabe First Nations residents and more.
“This is how the National Housing Strategy is working with organizations and communities to provide more safe and affordable housing across Manitoba.”
Funding for this project includes $32.2 million from the federal government through the affordable housing fund, $3.5 million from Roseau River Anishinaabe First Nation and $2.8 million in tax rebates from the City of Winnipeg.
It comes under the National Housing Strategy, which is a 10-year, $115 billion plan. As of September 2024, the federal government has committed $57 billion to support the creation of over 156,000 units and the repair of over 297,000 units.
The program prioritizes those in greatest need including seniors, Indigenous, people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and women and children fleeing violence.
The affordable housing fund provides funding through low-interest and/or forgivable loans or contributions to partnered organizations for new affordable housing and the renovation and repair of existing, affordable and community housing.
This is a $14.6 billion program under the national housing strategy that gives priority to projects that help people who need it most including women and children fleeing family violence, seniors, indigenous, people living with disabilities, those with mental health or addiction issues, veterans and young adults.
As of September 2024, the Government of Canada has committed $10.34 billion to support the creation of over 40,000 units and the repair of over 166,000 units through the affordable housing fund.
