Latest news with #RaisingtheRoof
Winnipeg Free Press
07-08-2025
- Climate
- Winnipeg Free Press
Free Press Head Start for Aug. 7, 2025
Sunny, with increasing cloudiness this afternoon. Local smoke. High 29 C. Humidex 34. UV index 7 or high. Winnipeg has blazed its way to its smokiest year on record — and there are still nearly three months remaining in the wildfire season. The city had recorded 306 smoke hours as of Tuesday, compared with 304 in 1961. Kevin Rollason has more here. Winnipeg recorded its smokiest month ever, with 189 smoke hours in July. (Mike Deal / Free Press files) What's happening today Today at 2 p.m., take a stroll and learn some local history at Poverty and Prosperity: A Walk Down Early 1900s Broadway beginning at The Forks. Tickets are $15 and can be found here (as well as additional dates and times for the tour). This walk takes history-hungry visitors on a trek from the Alloway Arch at The Forks to Dalnavert Museum (61 Carleton St.), the former home of Sir Hugh John Macdonald. Today's must-read For the first time in her 50-plus years in Thompson, Mayor Colleen Smook is hearing residents ask when winter is coming, even though there's still plenty of summer left. Some wildfires in northern Manitoba may not be extinguished until snow begins falling later this year, if higher temperatures and dry conditions continue, she said. 'This could go on until we get some decent snowfall and colder temperatures,' Smook told the Free Press Wednesday. Chris Kitching has the story. Thompson Mayor Colleen Smook is hoping for significant rainfall, and no lightning strikes, in the coming days. (Ruth Bonneville / Free Press files) On the bright side Housing advocates say the province needs more social-housing projects to address the homelessness crisis in Manitoba. Construction on a 23-unit apartment building at 480 Young St. was underway Wednesday. The aim is to house up to 40 homeless and at-risk individuals and families by the end of 2025. Ontario-based charity Raising the Roof bought the derelict property in November and began renovations in May. It's the second project the non-profit has undertaken in Winnipeg. Nicole Buffie has more here. Leslie Bellingham, director of strategic partnerships and initiatives for Raising the Roof (Ruth Bonneville / Free Press) On this date On Aug. 7, 1952: The Winnipeg Free Press reported Manitoba premier D.L. Campell called a last-minute meeting between Winnipeg mayor Garnet Coulter and union leader Leon Mitchell as well as the provincial minister of labour to avert a strike by civic workers. Four children died near Gladstone after a sandy cave they had been playing in collapsed. A U.S. embargo against Canadian meat and cattle owing to an outbreak of hoof-and-mouth disease looked unlikely to be lifted until 1953. Read the rest of this day's paper here. Search our archives for more here. Today's front page Get the full story: Read today's e-edition of the Free Press .
Winnipeg Free Press
06-08-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Charity building second housing site in city
Housing advocates say the province needs more social-housing projects to address the homelessness crisis in Manitoba. Construction on a 23-unit apartment building at 480 Young St. was underway Wednesday. The aim is to house up to 40 homeless and at-risk individuals and families by the end of 2025. Ontario-based charity Raising the Roof bought the derelict property in November and began renovations in May. It's the second project the non-profit has undertaken in Winnipeg. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Leslie Bellingham, director of strategic partnerships and initiatives for Raising the Roof, said renovation projects such as the one on Young Street can play a significant role in addressing homelessness. 'I think we need social housing. We tend to lean to not-for-profit or public housing because it not only guarantees it now, but also in the future,' Jamil Mahmood, executive director of Main Street Project, said. The Spence-area apartment block was put into receivership in March 2023 after a significant fire in 2022. The building presented an opportunity for Raising the Roof to expand its housing projects outside Ontario. The building cost $1 million and, at the time of purchase, the organization expected the renovation to cost less than $5 million. Funding for the project came through donors and private partnerships. After renovations are finished, 24/7 on-site supports from Main Street Project will be available for tenants. Mahmood said the project is seeking public funding for operations and staff members at the complex. A provincial government spokesperson wouldn't confirm whether the province is in negotiations to provide operational funding, citing byelection blackout rules. Mahmood said any vacant or derelict building in Winnipeg should be eyed for projects such as this and that the province shouldn't rely on private landlords to increase the housing supply for homeless people. 'If there are private landlords offering, great, but I think there's a guarantee this (project) is going to last longer term and meet the needs if it's publicly or not-for-profit owned,' he said. 'It gives more stability for the longer-term housing we need.' Mahmood estimates the province needs 10,000 units of housing to meet the needs of the province's homeless population, including those living in encampments, in shelters or are at risk of becoming homeless. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press The building at 480 Young St. could house up to 40 homeless and at-risk individuals and families by the end of 2025. Data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation show the average vacancy rate for an apartment in Winnipeg in October 2024 was 1.7 per cent. Premier Wab Kinew said last month that when his government took office, it was constrained by the lack of housing units after the former government sold some of its housing stock. He said the province is in the process of building and restoring social-housing units and helping an estimated 700 Manitobans move from tents to homes as part of the government's Your Way Home strategy to end chronic homelessness. The province had moved 59 people from encampments to housing as of the end of July. Fifty-three have moved into social housing, and six live in private rentals. In May, the province announced 67 new social-housing units, all of which are occupied. Leslie Bellingham, director of strategic partnerships and initiatives for Raising the Roof, said renovation projects such as the one on Young Street can play a significant role in addressing homelessness. 'When you have buildings like this that can be renovated, it's efficient, and you'd be able to do this faster and easier,' she said. 'If we have the space available, then we can use it, and use it to its full potential.' The non-profit's other project, at a former nail salon at 573 Mountain Ave., was converted to a three-unit home and has been occupied ever since. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press The building cost $1 million and, at the time of purchase, Raising the Roof expected the renovation to cost less than $5 million. Tuesdays A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world. 'We were there earlier today and were speaking with one of the tenants, who just was telling us all of the impacts on her life and everything that she was able to do because of the project,' Bellingham said. 'That's definitely the kind of impact that we're trying to recreate here.' Mahmood is optimistic about 480 Young St. 'If it goes well, I think there's a good model,' he said. 'We need more housing in general, but if a not-for-profit can be identified as a service provider early on, and then a partner like Raise the Roof can do all the building work and capital work, then we don't have to develop those expertise.' Nicole BuffieMultimedia producer Nicole Buffie is a reporter for the Free Press city desk. Born and bred in Winnipeg, Nicole graduated from Red River College's Creative Communications program in 2020 and worked as a reporter throughout Manitoba before joining the Free Press newsroom as a multimedia producer in 2023. Read more about Nicole. Every piece of reporting Nicole produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. 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Cision Canada
07-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Saven Financial continues to re-invest back into our communities
HAMILTON, ON, July 7, 2025 /CNW/ - Each year, Saven Financial gives its members a voice in selecting their charities of choice and deciding where a portion of the organization's profits will go that support community initiatives that benefit Ontarians. Saven, a division of FirstOntario Credit Union, which offers market-leading products and rates annually will be distributing $40,700 to organizations in Ontario working to address issues related to youth mental health and wellness, fighting hunger and housing and homelessness. Each year in the spring, Saven members are asked for their input through a survey, and this year's annual giving will be shared as follows: $20,000 (49%) to Raising the Roof (housing and homelessness) $10,500 (26%) to Feed Ontario (fighting hunger) $10,200 (25%) to Children's Mental Health Ontario (youth mental health and wellness) Since 2022, Saven has donated close to $86,000 to Raising the Roof, more than $42,000 to Feed Ontario and $34,000 to Children's Mental Health Ontario; a total of $162,000. Saven will continue to review the initiatives supported for maximum benefit in all corners of Ontario and engage members in the annual decision process. "The issues facing our communities are significant and there are no quick solutions. Saven Financial is committed to the success and well-being of our members and communities and we're proud to support organizations that are working tirelessly to address these issues. Giving our members a voice in our annual decision-making process about financial donations and community support is a core principle of our organization and we thank everyone who participated." Joanne Battaglia, senior vice-president, Marketing, Communications and Community Partnerships, FirstOntario Credit Union "In the last four years, Saven has made significant investments into Raising the Roof's work, allowing us to create and preserve 69 affordable homes. Because of your generosity and support, 155 people who were experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, staying in shelters, with friends, unsure if they would have a home next month or not, have safe, stable, affordable housing with the ongoing supports they need to stay in their homes. Leslie Bellingham, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships, Raising the Roof "We are incredibly grateful to Saven Financial and FirstOntario Credit Union for their continued generosity and commitment to child and youth mental health. Their support helps us build a stronger system of care for Ontario's infants, children, youth, and families. Contributions like this one enable CMHO to continue advocating for meaningful change and to strengthen the capacity of our province's community-based mental health services. We're proud to partner with organizations like Saven that share our vision for a healthier, more equitable future for young people." Tatum Wilson, CEO, Children's Mental Health Ontario "Over the past three years, Saven Financials' generosity means that the equivalent of more than 85,000 meals have been provided to help food banks across Ontario support their communities, Feed Ontario relies on support from partners like Saven Financial and we are extremely grateful for their continued support in helping us strive for an Ontario where everyone is food secure." Carolyn Stewart, CEO, Feed Ontario About Saven Financial, a division of FirstOntario Credit Union Saven means saving. It's that simple. Everything we do is to help people grow their savings for the future while building their local communities, too. That's why our online platform is both easy and convenient to use, and our members always benefit from our competitive rates and have a voice in our support for community causes. As a division of FirstOntario Credit Union, Saven Financial is powered by the strength of one of the largest credit unions in the province. By maximizing opportunities for returns and using profits for a higher purpose, we take care of our members and local communities. To learn more about Saven Financial, visit and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
