Massive funding will support more than 17,000 vulnerable Manitobans
Federal and provincial authorities have announced $154.6 million that will support the development of new housing supply in Manitoba.
The tranche will come about due to changes to the Canada-Manitoba Housing Benefit (CMHB), with the funding expected to support more than 17,000 vulnerable Manitobans.
“This cost-shared program was co-developed by the federal and provincial governments through the Canada Housing Benefit initiative,” according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
“The CMHB provides financial assistance to eligible renters who need help paying for housing costs, including youth transitioning out of the care of Child and Family Services, people who are at risk of homelessness or who are homeless and people living with mental health and addiction issues in designated supportive housing buildings.”
The changes to the CMHB , which will take effect on July 1, include the following:
- increasing the benefit amount to a maximum of $350 per month for all recipients of the CMHB, from $250 per month, retroactive to April 1, 2023;
- providing an additional $72 on top of the maximum benefit for anyone paying a cold rent (rent that does not include utilities), retroactive to April 1, 2023;
- removing the two-year time limit of the benefit for youth transitioning out of care and people living with mental health and addiction issues once they transition from designated supportive housing buildings into the private market (there is no time limit on the benefit for those at risk of homelessness or who are homeless);
- raising the age of CMHB eligibility for youth transitioning out of care to 26.
“Access to stable housing improves the lives and health of Manitobans and the whole-of-government Manitoba homelessness strategy recognizes the importance of retaining housing for those at risk,” said Rochelle Squires, Manitoba Minister of Families.
“Through the CMHB, we will continue to support the housing needs of vulnerable Manitobans, including those at risk of and experiencing homelessness, and provide affordability support that meets the needs of low-income renters.”
