$20 Million Affordable Housing Project Begins Construction in Winnipeg‘s Chinatown
Winnipeg, MB – Construction has begun on a $20-million affordable housing growth in Winnipeg’s Chinatown, marking a meaningful step towards addressing housing needs for newcomers to Canada. Ground was broken Saturday at the site of the former Shanghai Restaurant at 232 King St., which has remained vacant for over a decade.
the seven-storey building,named Shanghai Residence,will provide 54 affordable housing units. The project is timed to coincide with National Housing Day, which raises awareness of housing and homelessness issues across Canada.
“Finding housing is one of the most basic requirements for newcomers to build a life in Canada,” said Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham at the groundbreaking ceremony. “To be able to have housing available to newcomers will make the transition into Winnipeg so much easier.”
Manitoba Housing Minister Bernadette Smith, who grew up in Winnipeg’s North End, highlighted Chinatown’s past role as a welcoming community. “This is the kind of housing that brings hope,it brings stability,it gives families a real chance to build their future,” she stated.
Funding for the project includes $14.3 million from the federal canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s affordable housing fund, $3.7 million from the Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation, $2 million from Winnipeg’s federal housing accelerator fund agreement, and a $535,000 tax financing grant from the city’s heritage and economic development incentive. Additional funding was secured through community donations.
Ray Wan, project architect and president of the Winnipeg Chinese Cultural and Community Center, noted the building will primarily serve newcomers but will also be available to other families in need of affordable housing.
Construction is expected to take 18 to 20 months, with marketing to prospective residents beginning approximately one year from now.
