COVID-19 has exposed homelessness, highlighted housing needs in northern Manitoba First Nation

A First Nation chief in northern Manitoba saysCOVID-19 has highlighted the urgency of his community'shousing needs. His comments cameas the federal government on Wednesdayputout a call forhousing solutions in the North.

"This COVIDhas really exposed homelessness for our people," said David Monias, chief of Pimicikamak Cree Nation.

"We didn't realize how many people are homeless. It just doesn't show, because so many of our people, our families and friends are taking these people in, to prevent them from sleeping outside."

These days, however,Monias said, "when [people] step out, they are scared that you are going to bring COVID back, so you have no place to stay."

The community, also known as Cross Lake, isgrieving the deaths of three children, ages 2, 13 and 17, who were killed in a house fire a tragedy that some say also pointsto theneed for housing support.

On Wednesday, federal Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion Ahmed Hussen and Minister of Northern Affairs Daniel Vandalannouncedthe federal government was investing $80 million inNorthern Access,aprogram aimed at coming up with supply-chain solutions for housing in the North and other remote communities.

The investment is the thirdround of the government's Housing Supply Challenge,which invites proposalsfor solutions that will help break down supply-chain issues in order toprovide the materials required to buildmuch-needed housing for Indigenous and northern communities across Canada.

Many end up couch-surfing in overcrowded homes

PimicikamakCree Nation a community of8,500about 530 kilometres north of Winnipeghas been hit hard by COVID-19. Earlier this month, the community said 750 people wereisolating during an outbreak that led to four hospitalizations and one death. And itis still averaging eight to 10 new cases per day.

The Nation isin need of 1,000 homes, Monias said, and as a result many people experiencing homelessness end upcouch-surfing in overcrowded homes, which makes self-isolating difficult.

In January, Indigenous Services Canadasaid Cross Lake would receive$4.38 million for temporary isolation accommodations, which would include the purchase, delivery, installation and furnishing of 16 ready-to-movestructures, as well as a drive-thru COVID-19 testing facility.

The community had applied for 100 homes through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's Rapid Housing Initiative in the past and was denied twice, Moniassaid.

'Not going to make a dent'

When asked about the housing situation in PimicikamakWednesday, Minister Hussen said that "the need is still there and my understanding is that there are still many other communities that are still in need of federal government housing support."

But the chief ofBlack River First Nation, which is 120 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, said the investment isn't likely to be enoughto help communities in need. Black River has about 900 people living on reserveandis short about 100 homes, said Chief Sheldon Kent.

"Eighty million [dollars] is not going to make a dent because the homes are so overcrowded, so small," Kent said. "There's lots of infrastructure problems with the houses."

Vandal said that there have been housing investments made in Manitobabut that the need is still great.

"We will continue to work as a whole of government to advance the housing that's needed and make sure that it's constructed," said Vandal.