Organizations: Make a budget submission in support of housing for women and gender-diverse people

On behalf of [Organization Name], we are writing to formally endorse the call for the Manitoba government to include a dedicated, multi-year funding stream in Budget 2026 to develop and support social housing for women and gender-diverse people. This funding would support non-market housing providers to build new social housing, purchase and renovate existing buildings, keep rents affordable through operating support, and provide tenant support to ensure long-term housing stability.

Funding could be used to develop housing that prioritizes or is designated for women and gender-diverse people. It could also ensure features such as proximity to caregiver services like schools, healthcare, childcare, and family supports; access to trauma-informed, gender-responsive support workers, caretakers, and landlords; safety features like well-lit common areas and secure buildings and units; and larger units for families.

A dedicated funding stream ensures that housing for women and gender-diverse people is planned for, funded consistently, and treated as a core part of Manitoba’s housing system, not an afterthought.

While Manitoba has made important investments in housing, existing programs are not designed to address the specific needs of women and gender-diverse people. A multi-year fund allows for long-term investment in housing that responds to the specific safety, affordability, and inclusion needs of women and gender-diverse people across Manitoba. A dedicated funding stream ensures this housing is not overlooked or forced to compete in general programs.

Women and gender-diverse people face a disproportionately high risk of housing insecurity and homelessness driven by lower incomes, gender-based violence, discrimination in the rental market, and caregiving responsibilities. Survivors of violence, Indigenous women, single mothers, and gender-diverse people are overrepresented among those impacted. Many are forced into dangerous situations due to the lack of safe, affordable, and appropriate housing.

Safe and affordable housing prevents people from cycling through shelters, emergency health care, child welfare, and the justice system while generating cost savings for both individuals and government. Moreover, it supports safety, health, dignity, strong families, and the ability to participate fully in community life. Without intentional, gender-responsive housing investments, women and gender-diverse people are less likely to benefit from these outcomes.

This proposed investment directly supports Manitoba’s commitments to expand social housing, end chronic homelessness, and build safer communities – while ensuring those efforts reach women and gender-diverse people facing the greatest housing risks.

With the right investment in Budget 2026, Manitoba has the opportunity to show leadership by ensuring that women and gender-diverse people are not left behind in housing policy, and instead have safe, affordable homes built for their needs. I urge you to make this commitment.