End Homelessness recieves $27.3 million in federal funding to tackle homelessness

Winnipeg’s homelessness crisis affects a large number of people, with a significant portion, 70-80%, of the population being Indigenous, especially First Nations. The main causes of homelessness include the unaffordability of housing, a shortage of long-term supportive housing, and the lack of stable housing for those released from incarceration.

To help tackle these issues, the federal government has allocated $27.3 million to End Homelessness Winnipeg, the organization is responsible for distributing the funds to frontline programs and initiatives. The funding supports programs like Reaching Home, which helps fund various housing projects, including Housing First, a model that focuses on getting people into safe stable housing first, so they have the support they need to work on other challenges.

Some of the programs supported by this funding include transitional housing for Indigenous communities and women affected by domestic violence. These initiatives aim to do more than just provide shelter, they focus on healing, recognizing that trauma plays a big role in homelessness. The funding will help organizations like Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata create safe, culturally sensitive spaces that offer people not just a place to stay, but a chance for long-term stability and recovery.