Raising the Roof unveils first Winnipeg home, plans for additional projects to combat homelessness

As the need for affordable housing in Winnipeg and throughout the country continues to grow, organizations like Raising the Roof are stepping up to help families in need.

The national charity unveiled its first project outside of Ontario — the transformation of an abandoned nail salon and residential building into a three-unit home at 573 Mountain Ave. — in the heart of Winnipeg's North End on Wednesday.

You "built a place for three families and that's phenomenal, and it's a great first step and I hope that there's so much more of this to come," Siloam Mission chief executive officer Tessa Blaikie Whitecloud told those gathered inside the home.

Two larger multi-bedroom units on the upper and main floors will be made available to Indigenous families that are currently experiencing homelessness, or are at risk of homelessness. The one-bedroom on the lower level will be rented out to youth aging out of foster care.

Siloam Mission, which will manage tenant support of the Mountain Avenue units, is one of several partners that worked with Raising the Roof on its first Winnipeg project. Zoongizi Ode Inc., a non-profit organization that works to empower the city's Indigenous youth and families through education, advocacy and community support, will also provide hands-on support.

"When we talk about chronic homelessness, we're called to talk about homelessness for Indigenous people," Blaikie Whitecloud said, adding that it requires a wraparound network of supports.

Community partners essential

A $1-million grant from TD Bank to Raising the Roof that was announced Wednesday will provide enhanced support across Canada, including Winnipeg.

Some of that funding will go toward the work that companies such as Purpose Construction provide.

Since 2016, Purpose Construction has designed a training centre with two primary objectives: to train people facing barriers to employment in the construction sector, and build affordable housing on vacant land in disadvantaged areas of Winnipeg.

The Mountain Avenue project has been a de facto classroom for Purpose Construction and the 40 Indigenous trainees that were involved for much of the last year. Executive director Kalen Taylor wants to help more individuals from racialized communities find fulfilling careers in the trades.

"We look like the United Nations of construction companies, and we like it that way," Taylor said.

"People in here have been in here tearing it all the way down to the studs and building it back up."

Kevin Lamoureux, member of Parliament for Winnipeg North, called the three-unit home's unveiling "a very significant occasion" that will make a difference in the North End.

"I'm very much impressed in terms of just the degree in which Raising the Roof has really not only identified a need in terms of housing but how it is actually making it possible and enriching the community," Lamoureux said.

Future projects eyed

Raising the Roof executive director Sheldon Pollett believes Winnipeg is among leaders in the country in terms of social enterprise and low-income housing supports.

"The need is here but the people and the spirit is here as well to make innovative solutions like this happen," he said.

Pollett also announced Raising the Roof has purchased a 24-unit apartment at 480 Young St. The building is no longer habitable and needs a complete refurbishment.

He is optimistic that project will be complete within a year, and said additional projects in the city might also be in store.

"We're looking forward to what comes next in terms of responding to the needs of the folks in Winnipeg."