From Denial to Hope – Winnipeg Free Press

Center Village was hailed as an architectural marvel when it opened in 2010, with its eye-catching box design and revolutionary way to house newcomers to Canada; but the inhabitants found it cramped and unsuitable for family life.

They were evicted in droves from the 25-block complex on Balmoral Street and forced to board it after 12 years.

The site has become a magnet for drug users and a criminal element as politicians grapple with what to do with it as the city's housing needs skyrocket.

Now his fate is determined.

Manitoba Housing donated the site to the Winnipeg Housing Rehabilitation Corp., a non-profit organization formed in the late 1970s to develop affordable housing. It will receive $2.2 million to demolish it and build 30 new units for two key groups: local youth and young adults exiting the child welfare system, and expectant parents at risk of involvement in the system.

An official announcement will be made today.

The provincial government will provide $577,000 annually to help keep rents at income levels and fund 24-hour local support “for the foreseeable future,” Housing Minister Bernadette Smith said Friday.

“We know that when children come into care, they can be in different systems throughout their lives, whether it's the court system or they're missing and killed,” she said.

“It's really about prevention, support and packing the scaffolding that's needed and making sure that the trajectory of their lives changes so that they don't continue in these cycles.”

In April 2023, 16 months after the property was built, Manitoba Housing submitted an expression of interest and offered to donate it to a social housing organization. In August, in the dying days of their government, the Progressive Conservatives offered $2.2 million to redevelop the site.

Smith said the WHRC was selected using a score-based process that compared seven proposals received by the province in March.

“When we saw this proposal, we were very excited… (it) helped to fill that gap in terms of support for children in care so they didn't end up homeless, but also support for children who have children. “We can help support them if they're in care or pregnant,” she said. “Breaking the cycle is very important.”

WHRC partners with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the Spence Neighborhood Association to ensure that prospective tenants have 24/7 on-site support such as special workshops or individual programming based on their needs.

“A lot of people need that support at 10 in the evening or 2 in the morning. If they have someone they can go to, there's a greater chance of success,” said WHRC Executive Director James Heinrichs.

In 2021, the corporation was tasked with redeveloping the former housing complex into affordable apartments at 260 Toronto Street, using funding from all three levels of government. The 120-year-old building was demolished and a new structure was built. Today, women at risk rent 17 affordable apartments.

Heinrichs credits the year-round staff as one of the main reasons for the building's success.

He promised that the “Center Village” site will also bring similar benefits.

“It looks completely different,” he said. “I think it's going to have a much safer view of the community and what it looks like.”

There are currently 9,196 children in care in Manitoba, 78 percent of whom are Indigenous.

AMC Grand CEO Kathy Merrick called the project “historic.”

He said “freelance” supports for young people in care – who come straight out of CFS and into residential care where people can help them – are desperately needed.

“There's always a place to start. Although we are taking baby steps on many issues, they will come,” he said. “I'm always optimistic about the beginning of something good for our people.”

Today's funding announcement was supposed to take place on April 26, but was postponed due to the discovery of a body at the scene. Police said the death was not criminal.

On Wednesday, an elder will hold a spotting ceremony at the space, Smith said, to honor the life of the deceased and pray for his family and honor the future of the site.

Not far from Center Village, investors have bought the Balmoral Hotel with the promise of turning it into a medical center for patients from northern First Nations. Renovations currently underway include the removal of the beer vendor, lounge and VLT.

Smith, who was in the care when he was young, said the core area appears to be on the verge of revival.

“I'm just thinking about spring and the community flourishing,” she said. “Refreshing, indeed.”

Applications for demolition of Central Village will be submitted in the next few weeks. It is expected to be built from the end of 2025 to the beginning of 2026.

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