Steve Lambert

The Manitoba government is looking at ways to turn derelict buildings into new housing.

Expropriating buildings from problem landlords — and fixing them up — would help the NDP government meet its target of eliminating chronic homelessness within eight years, Premier Wab Kinew said in a year-end interview.

"Cities and municipalities do have expropriation powers … but if there's more that's required, we're open to that," Kinew said.

The province won't be able to build housing quickly enough&nbsp;or in a cost-effective enough way&nbsp;to meet housing needs, he said.

"One of the easier ways for us to move forward on adding to the housing stock, as it pertains to getting people out of bus shacks and out of encampments, is to find an existing hotel or an existing apartment building that's maybe not fit to be lived in right now, but with six months and a more modest investment, could be."

Burned-out Winnipeg apartment block transformed into housing for Indigenous youth

A newly renovated apartment block in Winnipeg’s North Point Douglas neighbourhood has been transformed from a derelict block into a place to call home for about two dozen Indigenous youth.

Tatyanna Monkman Hudson with her daughter, Kalila, inside the newly renovated Nenookaasiins block in Winnipeg on Friday, May 13, 2022, Hudson has been accessing services from Shawenim Abinoojii since she aged out of CFS care two years ago. 

Nenookaasiins grand opening

Tatyanna Monkman-Hudson with her daughter, Kalila, inside the newly renovated Nenookaasiins block in Winnipeg. Hudson has been accessing services from Shawenim Abinoojii since she aged out of CFS care two years ago. 

Winnipeg mayor shows desire to help homeless but makes slow progress in 1st year, advocates say

Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham came into office on Nov. 1, 2022 promising to tackle homeless ness in the city. One year later, advocates say progress has been frustratingly slow.

Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham has made addressing homelessness a top priority in his first year in office.

Mayor Scott Gillingham

Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham likes the idea. The city has some 750 derelict properties on it watchlist and a shortage of housing at the same time.

"We need more housing immediately, so converting [derelict] properties to their highest and best use is something that I really want to explore," Gillingham said.

Addressing vacant and derelict properties would also reduce the risk of fires and improve neighbourhoods, Gillingham said.

Discussions between the city and province have been preliminary, and no specific plan has been developed, but Gillingham is encouraged.

The NDP promised during the campaign for the Oct. 3 election to tackle homelessness using a system developed in Houston. Officials there partnered with local organizations to have existing housing stock made available for people in encampments.

Kinew said he is looking at ways to ensure municipal governments can force problem landlords to turn over properties.

"I would always like to see an amicable transaction as the preferred course forward, but I think that people who call this a humanitarian crisis are right," he said.

"And given the scope of the humanitarian crisis, I think we do need to put other options on the table."

Winnipeg targets neglected, derelict properties 'to reduce neighbourhood blight'

More ways to tackle derelict properties in Winnipeg are being proposed, including expediting demolition permits and forcing owners to install security fences, lighting and cameras around problem buildings.

The side view of a large apartment building, boarded up on the lower two levels.

The Coronado Apartments, at 485 Furby St., has been the scene of several fires over the past few years and is now boarded up and vacant.

The Coronado Apartments, at 485 Furby Street

Winnipeg mayor hopes Houston holds homelessness answers

Winnipeg's mayor is in Houston, hoping to learn from the Texas city's experience in dealing with homelessness.

Four people are standing in front of a seal that says City of Houston, along with American and Texas flags.

Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham, second from left, flew to Houston on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, to meet with Mayor Sylvester Turner, second from right, to learn about the Texas city's efforts to reduce homelessness. Gillingham was joined by his chief of staff Destiny Watt, right, and senior advisor on homelessness, Jared Baker, left.

Scott Gillingham in Texas

Mayor Scott Gillingham, second from left, flew to Houston to meet with Mayor Sylvester Turner, second from right, to learn about the Texas city's efforts to reduce homelessness. Gillingham was joined by his chief of staff Destiny Watt, right, and senior advisor on homelessness, Jared Baker, left.

For Wab Kinew and his new cabinet, the work starts now

If there's still such a thing as a honeymoon period for a new provincial government, Wab Kinew's NDP is already at the stage where it's time to return the key cards to the front desk, head to the airport and start reading work emails in the departure lounge.

A man in a suit and headdress surrounded by people in suits and dresses.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew poses with his cabinet on Wednesday. 

wab-kinew-cabinet

Winnipeg has around 750 derelict properties on it watchlist and a shortage of housing at the same time.

Manitoba premier wants to expropriate derelict buildings, turn them into social housing

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