Feel free to change the text below to personalize the message. Send the letter by email to the Minister of Finance (minfin@manitoba.ca) and CC the Minister responsible for housing (minhah@manitoba.ca) and the Premier (premier@manitoba.ca). BCC provincial@righttohousing.ca
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The Honourable Adrien Sala, M.L.A.
Minister of Finance
103 – 450 Broadway
Winnipeg, MB R3C 0V8
Dear Minister:
On behalf of [Organization Name], I am writing to urge the Government of Manitoba to make bold, sustained investments in social housing in Budget 2026.
Manitoba is facing a growing housing crisis. More than 50,000 renter households live in unaffordable housing. Over 7,500 households are waiting for social housing — the highest level since 2020. On any given night, approximately 2,500 people are experiencing homelessness in Winnipeg, with thousands more facing hidden homelessness across the province. Housing insecurity affects families, seniors, workers, students, and vulnerable community members in every region.
Manitoba does not currently have enough social housing to meet demand, and many existing units are aging and underfunded. At the same time, the private market continues to fail to deliver homes that are affordable for people with low and moderate incomes.
Current provincial efforts focus mainly on people living in encampments. While important, this approach does not prevent homelessness. Manitoba needs a system that supports people before they reach crisis. Expanding and protecting social housing is essential if the government is to fulfill its commitment to end chronic homelessness within two terms.
Previous budgets have shown some progress, but investments have not kept pace with need. In 2024, The Right to Housing Coalition identified the need for 1,000 new social housing units and $150M annually to maintain existing homes over 10 years. The Province has not fully met these targets, meaning larger investments are needed now to get back on track.
[Organization Name] strongly supports the following investments in Budget 2026:
- Invest in 1,980 new non-market, rent-geared-to-income units in 2026/27, as part of a long-term commitment to build 10,000 social housing units by 2034.
- Invest $311.2M into a capital maintenance fund and invest in an operating subsidy fund to ensure no social housing units are lost due to disrepair or lack of operating subsidies.
- Fund highly trained mental health, addictions, and primary care professionals, plus community support workers, to stabilize tenancies and support wellbeing.
Manitoba cannot afford to fall further behind. Budget 2026 represents a critical opportunity to get back on track and ensure that every Manitoban has access to a secure, affordable home.
Yours sincerely,
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CC:
The Honourable Bernadette Smith, M.L.A., Minister of Housing, Addictions, and Homelessness
The Honourable Wab Kinew, M.L.A., Premier of Manitoba
