Central Community Homes (CCH) in Winkler has broken ground on its first brand new affordable housing complex at the corner of North Railway Ave. and Main St.
The old single-family house on the site has been torn down to make room for a 28-unit apartment building CCH hopes to have up and running by the end of next year.
The project is a partnership between the non-profit organization, the City of Winkler, and K Block Developments, and it’s been years in the making.
“We still have some ways to go in terms of closing the gap and getting sufficient funding, but we’re moving ahead in good faith,” said CCH board chair James Friesen last week.
The complex comes with a price tag of approximately $4 million. CCH acquired the land from a supportive local developer with funding from the Province of Manitoba, via the City of Winkler, to begin construction sooner rather than later.
Friesen estimates they’re still about $1 million shy of the funds needed to finish the build, but he’s optimistic additional grant sources and community support will get the project across the finish line.
“As we move forward, we’re hoping to qualify for any potential grants that may come up. We’re doing our due diligence there,” he said, noting they’re also working with local partners to make this and other CCH housing complexes sustainable. “We know the community is generous, and we’re working really hard to leverage the province and the federal governments to help pay for things as well.”
They continue to have the support of the City of Winkler.
“While it’s exciting to see the demolition work start, the sobering reality is that CCH is still almost $1M short of what’s needed to finish this build,” said Mayor Henry Siemens. “They are now looking to the community to support the work they have started.
“We create a safer, healthier, more connected Winkler when we help people find the housing they need. We encourage the community to financially support this important addition to our affordable housing inventory.”
The building will have two studio apartments, 18 one-bedroom units, and eight two-bedroom units. Most of the apartments will be used for social housing, though some will also be open to those not on social assistance.
“The folks we are trying to house here are individuals who are among the most vulnerable in the community in terms of their housing,” Friesen said. “It’s an integrated model, so some individuals would be employed and there would also be some on social assistance—that’s the range we’re trying to house here.”
The site is the perfect spot for a project like this, being within easy walking distance of area schools, shopping, parks, the medical clinic, and other services.
It’s also a stone’s throw from the Central Station Community Centre, providing easy access for residents to the many social supports and community-building programs there.
“Through the work that we do in partnership with Central Community Homes, we can help connect people with more than just offering affordable places to live,” said Central Station executive director Anita Wiebe. The community centre manages CCH’s housing units throughout the city. “Once we can get them into appropriate housing, we are able to provide tenants with the support that will help them to be successful in their tenancy and to be the bridge to other resources they may need. This project signifies so much more than just another block of apartments, but rather the opportunity for tenants to thrive on many levels.”
The building will help meet the ever-growing demand for affordable housing in Winkler, but more is needed. There is currently a wait list over 200 families/individuals awaiting placement in social housing.
“On a weekly basis we have people coming through our doors desperate for places to live,” Wiebe shared. “We would love to be able to connect them to housing, but we aren’t able to give them something that we don’t have.
“We know there is a need for housing across the spectrum, but those who are in need of social and affordable housing are pushed even further to the fringes with the crisis we are currently experiencing. We believe that everyone has the basic right to safe and affordable housing and so we will continue our advocacy efforts.”
