ManitobaReception for a plan to put five supportive housing units in Winnipeg neighbourhoods has been mixed, a city official says as residents weigh in ahead of a public hearing on the matter next week.Concerns haven’t been answered, River Heights resident says at info sessionArturo Chang · CBC News · Posted: Sep 04, 2025 11:33 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours agoResidents of the River Heights neighbourhood were at the Bill and Helen Norrie Library Thursday afternoon for the third and final info session hosted by the city ahead of the hearing to discuss the city’s application to rezone land to build five supportive housing sites. (Prabhjot Singh Lotey/CBC)Reception for a plan to put five supportive housing units in Winnipeg neighbourhoods has been mixed, a city official says as residents weigh in ahead of a public hearing on the matter next week.Residents of the River Heights neighbourhood were at the Bill and Helen Norrie Library Thursday afternoon for the third and final info session hosted by the city ahead of a public hearing on an application to rezone the land to build the housing.In River Heights, a proposed site at 75 Poseidon Bay would be four storeys high, with 20 to 25 units offering an affordable housing option for people facing challenges finding a place to live.Lissie Rappaport, the manager of the housing accelerator fund, said she’s heard some support, but also fear and concerns from residents who don’t want this type of housing in their neighbourhoods.”I think there’s a lot of misunderstanding of, you know, what could happen,” she said. “This type of housing is throughout our city already, and it’s necessary for people to live more stable lives.”The location for the buildings, which will be on city-owned land, were chosen based on their size and whether residents would have access to services like transit, health-care facilities and grocery stores, Rappaport said.River Heights resident Ken Mutcheson said he’s worried the plans for Poseidon Bay would impact parking at the nearby Pan Am Clinic, and move widely used recycling bins. (Prabhjot Singh Lotey/CBC)She said the need for that access means they must be built in existing neighbourhoods.”We can’t put it off, you know, close to the perimeter on a green field site just because somebody doesn’t want neighbourhood change,” she said. “That said, we know there are legitimate concerns.”River Heights resident Ken Mutcheson said he’s worried the plans for Poseidon Bay would impact parking at the nearby Pan Am Clinic, and move widely used recycling bins.Mutcheson said there’s been a lack of consultation on the site.”There’s people worried about … more crime,” he said.”We don’t know who they intend to bring to this supportive housing, so there’s no notice of that. So it’s just concerns that haven’t been answered.”‘I think we have to do our part’: residentThe city is working with the province as well as non-profit partners on the plan.The housing units would be aimed at people who need supports to live independently, like refugees, people escaping gender-based violence and youth leaving the child welfare system. Private suites with bathrooms and kitchenettes would be complemented by shared spaces like counselling rooms and communal kitchens.The other sites proposed as a part of the plan would be located be at 546 Sherburn St., 1168/1172 Plessis Rd., 626 Stella Ave. and 2546 McPhillips St.Info sessions were also held in Transcona and Sargent Park earlier this week. But some River Heights residents said the city should have done a better job at informing residents about Thursday’s event.Sara Shuster said she found out about the info session from an anonymous flyer circulating around the neighbourhood from somebody who said they were fearful about the proposal.A proposed supportive housing site at 75 Poseidon Bay would be four stories high, with 20 to 25 units offering an affordable housing option for people facing challenges finding a place to live. (Prabhjot Singh Lotey/CBC)She said that while she understand other residents’ concerns, she is walking away from the info session with mixed feelings.”I think we have to do our part as well and be OK with having some housing in this neighbourhood,” Shuster said. “I’m hopeful that supportive housing could actually decrease crime and some of the other issues that are happening in this community.”People will be able to speak at in front of city council or submit written comments at the public hearing on Friday, Sept. 12.Shuster said she plans to write a letter to local Coun. John Orlikow outlining her thoughts on the proposal.Mutcheson said he also plans to contact the councillor’s office.”We’re starting to lose our community,” he said, specifically mentioning crime in the area. “It seems to be changing quite rapidly lately. I don’t believe this is actually going to … help that.”With files from Alana Cole
Supportive housing proposal in Winnipeg getting mixed reaction, city official says
