The Manitoba government, through the Criminal Property Forfeiture (CPF) unit, will donate six houses forfeited as proceeds of crime in Winnipeg’s Point Douglas neighbourhood for development by interested non-profit and Indigenous organizations to build affordable housing units for low-income families.

“Our government will be providing more affordable housing in the Point Douglas neighbourhood by allowing for the redevelopment of six single-family homes obtained through the CPF unit,” said , Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen. “These properties were used to support illicit drug activity and crime in the area but will soon benefit the neighbourhood by being donated and converted into needed housing for families while contributing to community renewal.”

“Manitoba Housing has issued a negotiated request for proposals to identify a non-profit or Indigenous-housing organization to turn these properties into affordable housing units,” added Families Minister Rochelle Squires. “This will provide more opportunities for affordable home ownership and help strengthen families and communities.”

Manitoba Housing is managing the properties until the transfer is complete, with its department staff responsible for ongoing maintenance, inspections and security, the ministers noted, adding in the event that a successful proponent proposes demolition and rebuild on the home sites, the CPF unit will work with the proponent on demolition costs.

The successful non-profit or Indigenous-housing provider will be required to follow Manitoba Housing’s Affordable Housing Program income limits for Winnipeg, whereby eligible homebuyers must have a total household income of not more than $84,600.

Only non-profit or Indigenous organizations will be eligible to submit proposals. Manitoba Housing will use a competitive project selection process to ensure the most appropriate and viable project is selected. Further details on the proposal process can be found online at https://manitoba.ca/housing/progs/rfp.html.