Carney says co-ordination, commitment and funding are needed to end homelessness

Prime Minister Mark Carney says the federal government has learned from past mistakes as it pursues its ambitious goal of eliminating homelessness within 10 years. Speaking at a news conference in Winnipeg on Friday, he said governments and communities have tried to address the crisis for decades, but efforts have often been inadequately funded, poorly co-ordinated and not sustained.

Carney said he chose Manitoba as his first stop after releasing the budget on Thursday because a plan is already in place. The federal government, the Manitoba government, the City of Winnipeg and private philanthropy have been working together in recent months to develop a comprehensive plan. The budget estimates that about 65,000 Canadians are homeless, though critics say the number could be much higher.

The federal approach includes building enough affordable housing, helping vulnerable people and providing health supports to help people escape homelessness over the long term. The budget offers $11.2 billion to address homelessness across the country over four years, starting next year, and $17.8 billion over 10 years.

Under partnerships with other levels of government, Ottawa would fund construction costs while provinces and other partners would cover operations. Winnipeg will receive some of the funding first: at least $1 billion in new money is earmarked for 2,000 new housing units and construction of a Centre for Mental Health and Addictions.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew called the federal funding a “huge, humungous deal” for the province. He said some people described it as a generational investment, though he was unsure whether every generation receives an investment like it. As part of the agreement, Manitoba is committing $84 million a year to support what Ottawa has committed to build.

Kinew said the province has not yet chosen a site for the health-care campus, but he will push to have it completed within Carney’s three-year goal. “We’re going to get it done right, we’re going to get it done quick,” Kinew said. The push for speed comes as the provincial NDP works toward its shorter-term goal of ending chronic homelessness by 2031.

Kinew said unprecedented co-ordination among all levels of government, including Indigenous leaders and other partners, makes faster progress possible. He called it the first time in Canadian history that every level of government has come together to tackle homelessness, including First Nations and Métis governments. “This is a fundamental step to succeed,” he said.

Friday’s event took place beneath the latticework rafters of Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn, the former Hudson Bay store in the city. The Southern Chiefs’ Organization is transforming the building into an Indigenous hub for housing and other services.

Southern Chiefs’ Organization Grand Chief Jerry Daniels said he was unsure how much of the new housing funding would come to his organization, but welcomed the announcement. “I think it’s good for the people of Winnipeg,” he said. Daniels added that he was hopeful for people living on the street or experiencing homelessness, addiction and mental-health challenges.

Jennifer Moore Rattray, CEO of End Homelessness Winnipeg, said she was excited about the investments. She said Winnipeg, Manitoba and Canada have a real opportunity to end homelessness. Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations in the city and province already co-ordinate extensively to reduce homelessness, she said; what they had lacked was sufficient funding. “We know what works in community. We have been doing it for years,” Rattray said. “Now we actually have the investment.”