Nancy Penner, Central Director of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) and Mayor of Morden, recently attended a Business and Housing Summit focused on developing solutions for homelessness through strategic partnerships and investment.
During the summit, alarming statistics were shared, revealing that approximately 169,000 Manitobans face core housing challenges, including unaffordable housing, overcrowding, and properties in need of repair. “You realize there’s a huge need for housing out there,” Penner remarked. It was also highlighted that around 21,000 individuals are experiencing all three challenges simultaneously.
Penner stressed the increasing necessity for wraparound support services, including food banks, mental health resources, and addiction services. She pointed to organizations like Genesis House, which has emphasized the urgent need for housing options for women escaping violent situations.
“The focus at this summit was on how resources can be coordinated to provide affordable housing and how support services can assist the homeless community in Winnipeg,” Penner stated, adding the need is growing in rural areas too. “We need to address the growing demand for housing, particularly as rental vacancies are dwindling.”
She also suggested that enhancing older neighborhoods by upgrading smaller homes for rent could help alleviate some of the housing pressures. “We need one-bedroom apartments at lower rental fees,” she added.
Penner concluded with a call for collaboration: “We must partner with the business community, private individuals, nonprofits, and government to connect the much-needed services that provide long-term support.”
The summit served as a crucial platform for discussing actionable strategies to address Manitoba’s housing crisis, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to support vulnerable populations.