MNPHA's Conference Planning Committee is designing a unique program for our first-ever online conference series. Building Partnerships will be very different from previous years due to COVID-19, but will still:
- Provide opportunities for housing providers, housing support organizations, business partners, and government partners to network and build relationships
- Educate board members, senior managers, direct service staff, and more on the key issues impacting the non-profit housing sector, and practical solutions to common challenges
- Share information on resources, funding opportunities, trusted suppliers, and services for the sector
To make this Building Partnerships great, and ensure it meets the needs of our members, please fill in our brief survey
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5 Things to Know from the Discussion
1. Housing has been demonstrated as the solution to many issues we face as society, including the primary treatment to this pandemic. We need to share this message more frequently, and more loudly. There are significant resources dedicated to the private housing market, recognized as a benefit for our economy. Funding to non-profit housing should be seen in the same light.
2. Non-profit housing providers need to be more ambitious and growth-oriented. In many rich countries, non-profit and social housing is 20% of the housing stock - this is achievable. Adaptability, flexibility, and accessing whatever resources are available to build and buy non-profit housing can help to achieve this.
3. To be growth-oriented and ambitious, the sector and organizations will need to transform. This means modernizing practices, sharing resources, and moving away from one-building, one-board models. It means more flexible agreements with governments, and a partnership relationship rather than a dependent one. Transformation can occur while retaining organizational values and community roots.
4. Manitoba Housing's devolution of management is an opportunity for the sector to both demonstrate and increase capacity. The transfer of units will speed up in the next year, and we must be prepared. Some ways to do that include setting up shared services, and creating regional governance models.
5. Boards of non-profits are essential leaders and should be having strategic discussions of how they will be involved in sector transformation.
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Did you miss the online workshop on Financial Management and Support in Uncertain Times?
You can purchase the slides from the presentation, access to the workshop video, and resources from the workshop including:
- sample cash flow excel sheet
- access to 10% and 75% wage subsidy worksheets developed by BCP Business Services.
Cost: $20 MNPHA Members; $40 non-members
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MNPHA Members Get Membership Rates for BCNPHA's Capital Planning 100 and 101
BCNPHA's online education, HousingU, is developed and delivered by their in-house asset management team. Learn the fundamentals of capital planning, and how to put capital plans into action.
Registration opens August 4.
If you are a MNPHA member and would like to register, contact Si Chen at membership@mnpha.com for the registration code.
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You can view our website for the most up-to-date COVID-19 resources and information relevant to non-profit housing providers, including information on Federal Government resources for landlords and tenants, Residential Tenancies Branch, Public Health, resources for employers, and more. https://mnpha.c
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Residential Tenancies and Commercial Tenancies Updates for Landlords
Residential Tenancies
In May, MNPHA held a Q & A with the Residential Tenancies Branch. A summary of the Q & A is available here.
The amendment of the Residential Tenancy Act (9.2 section of Bill 58),includes information on 1) Rent increase freeze, 2) No termination notices unless unlawful activities or impairment of safety, and 3) no late fees. Until this amendment is repealed, landlords cannot terminate tenancy for reasons other than unlawful activities or impairment of safety, from March 24 forward. The government issued a news release on June 24 stating that this will continue until September 30, at least.
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. Th
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mergency
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ct
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You can contact RTB for information by telephone at 204-945-2476 or (toll-free) at 1-800-782-8403 and by email at rtb@gov.mb.ca.
Commercial Tenancies
On June 26, the Province of Manitoba announced that commercial evictions are banned if the business and landlord qualify for the Federal-Provincial Rent Assist Program (CECRA). The media release on the announcement is available here.
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Resources and Announcements Related to COVID-19
Extended Time Periods to Recall Employees Laid Off
Temporary layoffs will have an extended period of time to recall laid-off employees before they must be considered terminated. These changes are temporary and to reflect the challenges COVID-19 has put on employers.
For employees laid off prior to March 31, 2020, due to COVID-19, the time period is extended by six months or to December 30, 2020, whichever occurs first.
For employees laid off between March 31 and September 30, 2020, the time period is extended until December 30, 2020, unless a later recall date was provided in a written notice at the time of layoff.
The changes do not apply to employees who employment had already been terminated prior to the coming into force, or those covered by a collective agreement that contains recall rights.
CRA Deadline Change
Any deferred GST was due on June 30th and has not been extended.
Extension to CERB
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) has been extended by 8 additional weeks or until October 3, 2020. The CERB provides $500 per week for a maximum of 24 weeks.
The Manitoba Summer Student Recovery Jobs Program
This program provides a wage subsidy to employers of $7 per hour, up to a maximum of $5,000 per student, to hire up to five high-school and post-secondary students between May 1 and September 4, 2020. Employers can be subsidized to hire up to five students, aged 15 to 29. Applications for the grant can be
submitted online.
The Non-Profit Summer Student Incentive
provides
$6,000 in additional financial assistance to charities and non-profit organizations that have hired at least one summer student through the Manitoba Summer Student Recovery Jobs wage subsidy program. $3,000 would be paid upfront and the remainder paid out at the end of summer employment. Apply through the Manitoba Summer Student Recovery Jobs Program: organizations that have already applied for the program do not need to apply separately for the Incentive, Government staff will be reaching out to confirm these organizations' interest in the grant.
The Business Resilience Service (BRS)
This service connects small- to medium- sized businesses, non-profits, and charities with experienced business advisors from across Canada for guidance on which government relief programs will be most appropriate to respond and reshape amid uncertainty.
The program, delivered free of charge, provides:
- Guidance on COVID-19 financial support program options and eligibility
- Direction on accessing the most appropriate support organizations
- Help to make decisions to support recovery plans
- Real time insights and feedback to policymakers
The BRS is run through the Canadian Chamber's Canadian Business Resilience Network in collaboration with EY and with support from Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada), and Imagine Canada.
To access the BRS call 1-866-989-1080 to connect with a business advisor from the accounting profession. The service is available 7 days/week from 8am - 8pm ET (5am - 5pm PT).
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Enabling Accessibility Fund
The small projects component provides grant funding for small scale construction and communication technology projects that improve accessibility in communities or workplaces. Grants can be up to $100,000 per project. Project examples may include:
* building ramps, accessible doors and accessible washrooms
* installing screen reader devices and hearing loop systems
* constructing a universally designed office
Apply by July 13.
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Learn more about the discounts available to MNPHA members at HD Supply,
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Housing on the Hill Day is going Virtual
The Canadian Housing and Renewal Association's Housing on the Hill is an opportunity to hear directly from senior national housing leaders and officials, and to engage in discussions directly with federal elected officials on the issues that matter to you and the community housing sector.
The event will be held virtually this year, September 29, 2020. Registration is now open.
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MNPHA Annual General Meeting and Annual Report
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Read MNPHA's
Annual Report, including a Report from the Board on behalf of President, Laurie Socha. The Report has highlights of MNPHA's activities throughout 2019/20 related to Member Development, Sector Development, Advocacy, and Partnership Building.
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Meet MNPHA's Newest Board Members
At the AGM on June 26, MNPHA members elected three new representatives to the Board of Directors.
James Heinrichs Executive Director, Winnipeg Housing and Rehabilitation Corporation
James has worked in health and housing services management for 30+ years. This includes as a senior leader with project management at two Health Care facilities ($7.9 m & $4.2 m) and was the CEO of Donwood Manor. James has served as chairs and executives on various committees in Winnipeg.
Mark Fleming, Executive Director, North End Housing Project
Mark has been an Executive Director for non-profits in Winnipeg for 12 years. Over the last 20 years, he has been appointed or elected to several boards and committees at a local, provincial and federal level.
Darren Fulford, Housing Coordinator, Canadian Mental Health Association - Thompson
Darren administers the Portable Housing Benefit and manages the Transitional Housing and Co-Occurring Disorders facility in Thompson. Darren has sat on various committees in Thompson.
Learn more about MNPHA's New and Re-elected Board Members in the
Annual Report
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July Picture of the Month: New Journey Housing
New Journey Housing worked with MANSO to create a resource for housing providers and others who work with newcomers: a multi-lingual attachment for important documents you are providing to tenants. In 15 different languages, it says: "This is an important document. If you cannot read it, please have someone interpret the contents for you immediately."
This sheet is provided by The Registry in Ottawa when they mail out housing application renewals/information requests.
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Picture of the Month Feature! As MNPHA's team has been visiting our members, we have seen all the interesting, fun, and innovative things you do to improve the lives of tenants, your staff teams, and the communities around you. We wanted to find a way to share this regularly so members can learn from each other.
Newsletters include "Pictures of the Month" - no idea is too simple or too complex. If you are doing something you think should be shared with your colleagues in the non-profit housing sector, send a photo and brief description to us by July 31 to be included in the August newsletter.
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The Community Housing Transformation Centre - Program Manager (full-time)
As part of a new, dynamic pan-Canadian organization, the Program Manager will play a key role in the operation of the Funds. The Centre works with an attentive and supportive approach in assisting groups and organizations wishing to submit a grant
proposal.
The applicant must have good knowledge of the community housing sector in Western Canada. While The Centre is located in Montreal, there are flexible hours and possibility of working from home. The position requires a minimum of intermediate French or a willingness to quickly learn.
Did you know that MNPHA's job postings are the most "clicked" item in our newsletter?
Do you have a position you are trying to fill in your organization? MNPHA is always accepting job and volunteer postings for display on our website.
The Job Board is located under the Resources tab on the
To have your position added to the board, send the pertinent information to:
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HERE to visit our page.
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