A new project aims to offer at-risk youth, including some who may otherwise be homeless, a safe home and social supports.
The Flora Avenue proposal would create a three-storey residential building with 23 one-bedroom transitional housing units, including one fully accessible suite and 24-hour staffing and social supports, if approved by city council.
“One of the biggest concerns that we’re interested in addressing is the stark reality in Manitoba with kids in care. We know that … it’s primarily Indigenous children. When they age out of the child welfare system, they often end up in a cycle of homelessness,” said Shanlee Scott, executive director of Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad, during a Lord Selkirk-West Kildonan community committee meeting this month.
Widely known as Ndinawe, the non-profit organization would provide the services. Its current programs serve youth between the ages of 11 and 24, with offices directly across the lane from the proposed site, a city report notes.
The organization helps connect youth with safe spaces, recreation, education, cultural supports, housing and jobs, as per its website.
Estimates suggest there are at least 1,500 homeless people in Winnipeg, not including those who repeatedly find short-term places to stay, said Scott.
For youth, this project would fill a key gap in services, she said.
“We looked at what’s missing in the continuum of care that we’re currently providing and realized that this project (meets that) need … where children and youth have a place that is safe, that feels safe and meets their needs in a way that (they’ve) never been met before,” said Scott.
She said homelessness among Indigenous young people is tied to a long line of social challenges, including the effects of colonization, residential schools and the child welfare system.
“Our home is … not going to just be a physical building. It’s going to be safe (place). It’s going to be a family, a community,” said Scott.
George Vincent, the project’s architect, told the community committee the project will include a unique feature.
“(Some exterior brick work will) be representative of traditional bead work. The patterning will be figured out by the youth and will be assisted by ourselves and an artist that they work in tandem with,” said Vincent.
Both Scott and Vincent declined further comment on Thursday.
Mynarski Coun. Ross Eadie moved a motion in favour of the project at the community committee, which received unanimous support.
In an interview, the councillor said he believes the homes will be especially helpful to those who leave the foster care system at 18 but need help adjusting to adult life.
“It’s helping the neighbourhood because there’s opportunity for them to live and have the supports they need to get to a point where they can get a job and eventually move out on their own. It’s a very important project,” said Eadie.
The city’s property and development and executive policy committees have also voted in favour of the project.
City council will cast a final vote on the proposal on Sept. 26.
joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca
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Joyanne Pursaga
Reporter
Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne.
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