Wait list soars for Manitoba Housing units and so do the vacancies

The demand for subsidized housing units in Manitoba is rising and so is the number of those units sitting empty, which has some advocates worrying the province is planning to rid itself of more affordable housing stock.

New statistics from Manitoba Housing showsthe interest among potential tenantsis climbing. There were9,049 households on the waiting list as of June nearly 2,200 more applicants than at the start of 2019.

Meanwhile, 1,770 units were vacant at the end of June, which the provincial government confirmedin an email is higher than the usual number ofvacancies at any given time.

Families Minister Heather Stefansonsaid in an email that Manitoba Housing usually counts 1,100 vacancies as part of its regular turnover of units.

The additional vacancies this summerare the result of units being pulled off the market due to "planned or ongoing capital improvements, or are in a low-demand area with chronic vacancies and may be available for sale," Stefanson said.

The vacancy and wait list totalsfrom the summer were revealed through a freedom of information requestby the Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union, whichrepresents some Manitoba Housing workers.

MGEU resident Michelle Gawronsky said it's shameful that thousands are looking for a home while so many units are vacant.

"They need to come forward and they need to explain to these 9,000families, they need to explain to the taxpayers of Manitoba, why there's 1,800 vacant units that are not being filled and why the upkeep hasnot been keptfor these facilities."

Housing advocateKirsten Bernas saidshe isn't surprised more people are going without the shelter they want.

She noted Manitoba's Progressive Conservative government has been selling some of its housing stock. The province signalled in March that it wants to transition to the role offunder and regulator of public housing, rather thanlandlord.

"If you're actually taking action to reduce the supply, which is what we're seeing happening in the province'splans to get rid of our provincial housing assets, it's no surprise we're going to see the demand increase," said Bernas, chair of the Right to Housing coalition's provincial working group.

Province may be planning to sell units: advocates

The province would not specify how many units are subject to renovations or a potential sale when asked by CBC News.

Stefanson announced this summer her government would spend $31.2 million to improve housing units available to low-income Manitoba. The funding announcement would turn over 800vacant units for new tenants, 400 of which would be inWinnipeg.

"Our government is also working to provide Manitobans with access to safe and affordable housing, which is why we have invested more than $100 million in new social and affordable housing rental units, creating 631 new units for Manitobans who need them," the minister wrote.

Bernas, however, is troubledthe government seems to be trying tosellunits. The Manitoba Liberals noted last year the province has sold94 Manitoba Housing properties since 2016.

"Ifthey're sitting vacant because they're waiting to sell themthat is consistent with the provincial government's plan to divest of these units," she said.

"That'sreallyunfortunate that people who are waiting for this housing and really need itcan't access it."

Gawronsky suggested the province is preparing to sell more properties, especiallyafter the government announced last month it was looking for a firm to appraise the value of each of Manitoba Housing's 4,000-plus properties, which have over 16,000 units between them.

She alleged the province has let its housing properties languish by putting off needed repairs.

Properties depreciating: MGEU

"They've left them for the last four years todecline in value, which is going to be wonderful for anyone that's going to go into the business and wants to purchase them," Gawronsky said.

In turn, the Toriessay when they were elected in 2016,they inherited $1 billion in deferred maintenance from the previous NDP government.

As the private sector takesa greater role in assuming low-incomehousing, Lucille Bruce with End Homelessness Winnipeg said the government shouldn't shirk its responsibilities to ensure that people have shelter.

"They still need to be involved in finding ways of supporting the private sector and the not-for-profit groups to be able to successfully operate those units so that they can maintain them for people who are living with very low income," she said.

Bruce said her organization is in conversations with the provincial government about offering help. Mental health and addictions supports are also needed, she said, as well as culturally sensitive housing arrangements.

Last Wednesday's speech from the throne said the province would partner with Ottawa to create a housing benefit for vulnerable Manitobans that is "portable" meaning the payment is tied to an individual, rather than a rental unit.