A safe haven for survivors

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This article was published 25/01/2022 (1102 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Women and gender-diverse people who have experienced gender-based violence will soon have a new place to call home.

West Central Women’s Resource Centre recently announced it received funding to buy and refurbish an apartment building at 590 Victor St. through the second phase of the federal government’s Rapid Housing Initiative.

The WCWRC plans to transform the space, located two blocks away from its 640 Ellice Ave. office, into a mix of 16 new 3-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 1-bedroom units for individuals and families.

The building was built from 1913 to 1914 and has been vacant since at least 2015, writes West End Dumplings blogger Christian Cassidy.

Lorie English, the executive director of WCWRC, said the new residence will fill a critical need in the community.  

“Winnipeg has some of the highest rates of intimate partner violence against women in the country. One of our biggest struggles over the years has been finding safe, affordable, and supported transitional housing where women and gender diverse people can heal and work on their goals for the future,” English said in a statement.

Up to 35 women and gender-diverse people and their children can stay at the residence for at least two years. The WCWRC will then work with clients to find long-term housing solutions. The organization anticipates a stay of up to two years will give residents ample time to access the organization’s supports.

Tammy Leask is the director of WCWRC’s Strengthening the Circle program. Strengthening the Circle provides resources to Indigenous women, newcomer women, and 2SLGBTQ+ folks who are experiencing violence or are at risk of experiencing violence.

Through this program, participants can access a family support worker, a gender-based violence crisis worker, a trauma counsellor, and a cultural co-ordinator who offers programs through an Indigenous lens.

“We’re here for them as they make that first step,” Leask said. We’re here to walk with them and support them and advocate for them.”

Rent at 590 Victor St. will be geared-to-income.  

“This building will be affordable,” Leask said. “Three-bedroom apartments are really not on the market, and if they are, it’s probably $2,000. I don’t think anybody can really afford that … Sometimes you have to choose rent or food.”

WCWRC staff will use the building’s basement for programming and administration work. The rooftop will be transformed into a children’s play area and ceremonial space.  

The federal government will invest $12.7 million in roughly 59 new affordable residences in Winnipeg

through the Major Cities Steam of its Rapid Housing Initiative. The federal government launched the RHI in October 2020 through the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, which falls under the National Housing Strategy.

The NHS is a 10-year, $72-billion plan to build and refurbish units into affordable housing.

Apart from the 590 Victor St. housing project, the city will use the second round of its NHS funding to convert an existing building at 670 Main St. into 22 units for Indigenous residents. The Manitoba Métis Federation will operate this initiative. The third project, run by the Westminster Housing Society, will see 21 new homes for LGBTQ2+ people at 545 Broadway Ave.

WCWRC anticipates 590 Victor St. will welcome its new occupants in February 2023.