MB Government: Province Enabling Partnership to Create Additional Transitional Housing Units

Press Release

April 19, 2022

Partnership will Expand Culturally Appropriate Supports for Families who have been impacted by CFS: Squires

The Manitoba government is announcing an annual subsidy of $595,226 at 26 Gaylene Pl. in Winnipeg to support a partnership agreement with Makoon Transition Inc. and S.A.M. (Properties) Holding Inc. to create thirty-two transitional housing units, eight of which will be designated for additional tenant supports for families who have been impacted by Child and Family Services (CFS), Families Minister Rochelle Squires announced today.

“Our government is committed to working with non-profit housing partners to collaboratively develop and retain affordable housing units for Manitobans,” said Squires. “Investing in culturally appropriate housing options that offer additional tenant support is a crucial element in ensuring children and their families are supported during the reunification process.”

Makoon Transition Inc. is a reunification and prevention program that assists families in a supported-living environment. Makoon Transition Inc. provides supervised transitional living space for parents who are in the process of being reunified with their children. The organization operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and always has multiple staff on-site to offer support for families.

Under this partnership agreement, Manitoba Housing has allowed S.A.M. (Properties) Holding Inc. to dedicate eight units to 26 Gaylene Pl. for Makoon Transition Inc. to administer its program and deliver tenant supports. In 2018, Manitoba Housing sold 26 Gaylene Pl. to the non-profit partner S.A.M. (Properties) Holdings Inc. and subsequently entered into a 25-year Subsidy Assistance Agreement with S.A.M. (Properties) Holding Inc. A total of 88 affordable housing units are provided under the provincial agreement, with 32 dedicated to the Makoon partnership. This partnership agreement protects the ongoing funding commitment of social housing from Manitoba Housing and allows for community partnerships like this to be established, the minister noted.

“Our board’s commitment to providing safe, healthy and affordable housing is paramount to building resilient individuals and strong communities. Our partnership with the Manitoba government and Makoon Transition Inc. also provides much-needed support services on-site to families that will ensure successful outcomes, “said Kailee Grimolfson, chair, S.A.M. (Management) Inc.

Makoon Transition Inc. was created to address the holistic needs of First Nations children and their families who have experienced the impacts of being involved in the child welfare system.

“Makoon Transition Inc. works with our partners at Indigenous Services Canada Jordan’s Principle, Child and Family Service agencies, to make sure that First Nations children and families living in Canada can access Makoon Transition Inc. services and the supports they need to thrive,” said Kendra Inglis, executive director, Makoon Transition Inc.

For more information about Makoon Transition Inc., visit https://makoon.ca/.

– 30 –

For more information:

• Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
• Media requests for general information, contact Communications and Engagement: newsroom@gov.mb.ca.
• Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Communications and Stakeholder Relations: 204-451-7109.

IHT5