Gender-Responsive Social Housing Campaign
Safe homes for women and gender-diverse people in Budget 2026
Current Calls to Action
The Ask
Manitoba must create a dedicated, multi-year funding stream in Manitoba Budget 2026 to develop and support social housing for women and gender-diverse people.
This funding would help non-market housing providers build new social housing, buy and renovate existing buildings, keep rents affordable through operating subsidies, 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.
Why this Matters
Women and gender-diverse people face higher risk of housing insecurity and homelessness due to lower incomes, gender-based violence, discrimination in the rental market, and caregiving responsibilities. 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.
While Manitoba has programs to support social housing, they 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.
Aligned with Manitoba’s Priorities
During the 2023 election, Wab Kinew promised an NDP government would “make life more affordable for renters” and “strengthen rent controls with legislation to protect renters from big rate hikes” if elected. In the fall of 2024, the NDP government introduced Bill 26, The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act, to limit above-guideline rent increases, but the Bill did not pass.
In the lead up to the 2025 Throne Speech The Right to Housing Coalition urged the Premier to renew his commitment. “New rules to stop unfair rent increases and strengthen renters’ rights” was highlighted in the Throne Speech, which outlines what the government plans to achieve in the next legislative session.
We will continue to urge the Premier to deliver a strong bill in the upcoming legislative session, and keep his promise to all Manitobans who rent.