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.
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.
