Calling for support for St. Boniface Street Links and Morberg House to reduce homelessness

Tuesday June 12, in Question Period I called on the provincial government to provide support for St. Boniface Street Links and Morberg House to help in the excellent work that they are doing to help those who are homeless. My question and the Minister's response (from Hansard) is below.

Street Links and Morberg House -Expansion of Programming

Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, the recent street census in Winnipeg has found that homelessness has increased under the Pallister government, and as we have often said, Manitoba is in the midst of a meth crisis. St. Boniface Street Links and Morberg House in St. Boniface have been models for their treatment of the homeless and people suffering from addictions, helping them get back on their feet, finding housing and employment.

The government should be supporting and building on excellence like St. Boniface Street Links and Morberg House, but it is not.

Why not?

Hon. Scott Fielding

(Minister of Families): I spoke with the member last week and explained to him exactly in terms of housing partnership that has a fund that was established through the federal government. It is administered through the City.

I can tell you that we have made substantial gains in housing. In housing we built over 487 new units. Manitoba Housing, social housing, 42 per cent, Madam Speaker, 42 per cent of them are social housing. We've also had incent–increased our Rent Assist. The amount of people that are supported–the Rent Assist is upwards of over $3,000.

We think that is support. We'll continue to do this to support vulnerable Manitobans.

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Dougald Lamont speaks at Meth Forum last night to present positive ideas to address the epidemic, while exposing the lack of action by the Pallister Conservatives

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The Gerrard Report

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