The Manitoba government will require certain employees who work with vulnerable populations to be fully immunized for COVID-19 by Oct. 31, or undergo regular testing, to protect Manitoba against a fourth COVID-19 wave.

The new public health orders will require, among other workers, that public servants and funded-agency employees who work in high-risk settings with direct, ongoing contact with the public or clients, such as those who work in congregate/residential settings or group homes, or work with vulnerable populations including children, or have to enter the home of a client or who regularly visit sites with vaccine mandates in place as part of their duties be fully vaccinated. It is our understanding that this will impact non-profit housing organizations funded by the Government of Manitoba.

As an additional protection measure against the rising delta variant the province requires that everyone wear masks in public indoor settings, effective as of August 29.

MNPHA is working on compiling resources regarding vaccination mandates and will provide updates as soon as possible. We have a survey to gather feedback on resources/information you need related to vaccine requirements, please let us know if there is support you are seeking by clicking on the button below.

MNPHA is thrilled to have the City of Brandon join our membership! Did you know that municipalities could join the Association as members? The benefits are mutual - the member's staff and partnership organizations keep up to date on housing and have access to events, networking, education and other opportunities, while the Association gains a new perspective on important issues within a jurisdiction that allows for a tailored approach to advocacy and programming. Encouraging your city, town or rural municipality to join MNPHA as a member is a way to grow and strengthen affordable housing in your community. Thanks Brandon, and welcome to MNPHA!

MNPHA members will come together to hear what the Association has accomplished over the previous year, vote for representatives on the Board of Directors, approve the audited financial statements, and hear about plans for the upcoming year. All MNPHA members and housing professionals across the province are welcome to join us.

Meeting materials, agenda, the annual report, and financial statements will be available here

Dr. Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair will be the Keynote Speaker for the 9th Annual Building Partnerships Conference. He will be speaking about the housing sector's role and responsibility in reconciliation in Canada.

Dr. Sinclair is Anishinaabe (St. Peter's/Little Peguis) and an Assistant Professor at the University of Manitoba. He is a regular commentator on Indigenous issues on CTV, CBC, and APTN, and his written work can be found in the pages of The Exile Edition of Native Canadian Fiction and Drama, newspapers like The Guardian, and online with CBC Books: Canada Writes.

Dr. Sinclair is the co-editor of the award-winning Manitowapow: Aboriginal Writings from the Land of Water (Highwater Press, 2011) and Centering Anishinaabeg Studies: Understanding the World Through Stories (Michigan State University Press, 2013), and is the Editorial Director of The Debwe Series with Portage and Main Press.

The Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation has provided MNPHA with funding to go towards the non-profit housing and homelessness sectors. The funding is intended to:

After conducting focus groups, meetings, and a survey with organizations and individuals who provide housing and/or supports to individuals who are experiencing homelessness and those at risk of becoming homeless, three priority areas were identified: Maintaining Successful Tenancy, Sector Capacity Building and Case Management.

Funding is available for activities related to these priority areas with a minimum budget of $5,000 and a maximum of $250,000. Activities to be funded must begin after the approval of the funding and fund expended by March 31, 2023.

To learn about eligibility criteria, deadlines and timelines, the assessment process and other requirements and guidelines please go to https://mnpha.com/housingsupports.

For more information on the funding process, a lunch and learn info session will be hosted by Cheryl Krostewitz on September 8 from noon to 1:00. The session will provide a brief overview of the funding available and leave lots of time for questions and answers.

As part of a small team and in collaboration with partners in the housing and homelessness sectors, the Program Manager is responsible for the ongoing design, implementation, and oversight of the Rent Relief Fund, established to support people who are at risk of losing housing or in need of financial support to attain housing.

The position is a 18-month contract position, funded through a project grant with the possibility of extension should funding be available.

Candidates must have:

Resumes will be reviewed as received and interviews held with candidates as selected. The position will be open until filled, with the ideal starting date of September 20, 2021.

Nick Falvo, an Internationally recognized researcher in applied social policy with a focus on affordable housing, homelessness and poverty, has compiled a clear and concise breakdown of both the NDP and Conservative housing platforms for the upcoming federal election. You can give the NDP list a read here, and the Conservative list here.

Under the general direction of the CEO, the Senior Director of Finance and Operations oversees End Homelessness Winnipeg’s financial management and operations. To read the full job description click here.

Applications are still being accepted for the ProtectMB Community Outreach and Incentive Grants. Up to $20,000 is available to organizations, businesses, schools and other groups with a connection to a community with lower vaccine uptake. More information can be found at https://protectmb.ca/grant-applications/.

Efficiency Manitoba is offering an incentive for ground source heat pumps. Ground source heat pumps are one of the most efficient electric heating and cooling systems available for your business. Efficiency Manitoba's new Heat Pump Program offers incentives of up to $2.50 per square foot of heated space. Ground source heat pumps can reduce heating costs by up to 60% when compared to an electric heating system, which translates to significant energy bill savings. If you’re converting from a natural gas heating system, you can also feel good about making a positive environmental impact by reducing your greenhouse gas emissions. For more information about the heat pump program follow this link.

United Way Winnipeg is offering "Working among Racial Difference on Colonized Land", an interactive, three-session workshop designed for Executive Directors, managers, and program staff of non-profit organizations. Join Jackie Hogue virtually via Zoom on September 21, 23 and 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. each day. Registration is now open. 

This summer, IRCOM held a concert series, Common Ground, celebrating ties that bind Indigenous & newcomer families.

No idea is too big or too small for picture of the Month! Submit your photo to Beth at [email protected] to be included in the next newsletter