Housing

Dial-a-life Housing

694-9170
email: dialhsg@mts.net
A service that provides accommodation for people coming into Winnipeg for Dialysis.

Rooms/Shared Accommodations

The least expensive form of housing available is room rentals/shared accommodations. Accommodations such as these are available in private homes, rooming houses and boarding houses. To find this type of housing, look in the newspapers under "Rooms for Rent" or "Shared Accommodations", in the Home Renters Guide or www.homebase.ca/cityscape.

Renting a House or Apartment

The simplest and most direct way of finding rental housing is in the newspaper, which is listed by neighbourhood, or in the Renters Guide, which is available free of charge at a variety of locations such as Mac's, 7-Eleven, and Safeway. As well, there are Aboriginal subsidized (income based) housing programs in addition to the Manitoba Housing Authority.

Once you do find a suitable place to live, most landlords will ask you to sign a lease. Initial payment is half a month's rent for a damage deposit in addition to the first month's rent. A lease can be a month to month arrangement or a 12-month arrangement. This is a binding, legal agreement between you and the landlord and will detail the rights and responsibilities of both parties. Read it carefully before you sign! Usually you and the landlord will go through the rental property prior to moving in to examine the condition of the property and make a detailed list of any existing damages or repairs needed. This process is also done when you move out. This is very important as you will be charged for any damages not on the list when you move out and the landlord will keep your damage deposit plus any accumulated interest to pay for any damages. If a dispute arises, you should contact the Residential Tenancies Branch at 302-254 Edmonton St., 945-2476 or toll-free 1-800-782-8403.

The Manitoba Housing Authority provides subsidized housing for low income and special needs families and elderly persons. Rental rates are based on 27% of the gross family monthly income and units are available throughout the city. Certain areas have longer waiting lists than others. Units in suburban areas tend to have longer waiting lists. As well, Manitoba Housing Authority offers other programs such as the Homeowner Emergency Loan Program, and the Shelter Allowances for Elderly / Family Renters (SAFFR). This last program is for renters who are not in subsidized housing.

Winnipeg Rental Sites:

http://homebase.ca/main.asp?r=13&s=91
http://www.places4rent.com/finder.asp?LOCID=309
http://www.rentcanada.com/winnipeg/
http://www.apartmentcorner.com/search/apartments/ca/Manitoba/Winnipeg/Winnipeg-apartments.asp
http://www.myidealhome.com/mb/winnipeg_apartments.html
http://www.rayinc.ca/
http://www.pointdouglas.net
http://www.winnipegrentnet.ca
http://www.kijiji.com

For information on subsidies and applications visit 102-114 Garry Street or call 945-2197.

Manitoba Housing

100-185 Smith Street
945-4663
or toll-free 1-800-661-4663

WInnipeg Housing Rehabilitation Corporation

60 Frances Street
949-2880
www.whrc.ca
email: info@whrc.ca

M.A.P.S.

757 Henderson Highway
1-800-543-6118
982-2000
Provides housing based on income to single people and families. Houses are primarily in downtown, central and north end areas.

For more information on applying for shelter allowance for families or the elderly, call the Shelter Allowance Program at 1-877-587-6224.

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Aboriginal-specific Housing Programs
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Kanata Housing

2055 McPhillips St.
338-6261
Kanata Housing provides housing to Aboriginal families.

Kekinan Centre Inc.

100 Robinson Street
582-0439
Kekinan Centre provides affordable apartment housing to First Nations Elders, those over the age of 55 and disabled/infirm who are able to live independently. The Centre also raises community awareness of health and social needs and delivery of resources to the aged.

Kinew Housing Corporation

201-424 Logan Avenue
956-5093
Kinew Housing is a non-profit organization providing affordable housing to First Nations families. Rent is 27% of a working family's income, less deductions for dependants, heat and water. If the tenant is on Income Assistance, then the rent charged is the allotted rent allowance.

S.A.M. Management

425 Elgin Avenue
942-0991
Fax: 957-5829
Provides affordable housing to Seniors and Aboriginal families.

Payuk Inter-Tribal Housing Co-op

100-500 Balmoral Avenue
942-0991

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Emergency Shelters and Short Term Housing for Youth

Ndinwemaaganag Endaawaad

Call 586-2588 for Safe House
www.ndinaewe.ca
Short term shelter for youth 11-17. Provides meals, clothing, access to medical assistance.

Ndinwemaaganag Endaawaad: Second Stage

582-7781
Transitional house for youth who are wards of Family Services; they encourage 16 and 17 year olds in independent living, as well as providing them with life skills.

MacDonald Youth Services

477-1722
Youth Resource Centre. Short term shelter for youth 12-17. Drop in counseling, clothing and food. Operates 24 hours a day.

Resource Assistance for Youth (Housing)

125 Sherbrook Street
Winnipeg, MB
783-5617
www.RAYinc.ca
Their program does not provide housing but can help you access emergency and long-term affordable housing for youth up to age 29. Also provides a food bank for ages 17 and under, every 2 weeks. Directs you to emergency and long-term affordable housing for youth ages 0-29. Provides clothing, access to medical assistance, employment/resume help, one on one advocacy and support, workshops including anger management and suicide prevention.

Sage Transition House

422 Dufferin Avenue
943-6379
This is a transition house for battered or abused women with or without children. We provide support, legal information, and referrals to appropriate community resources. Operates the 24-hour Women’s Support Phone Line for support related to issues of violence, or any other concerns. Partially wheelchair accessible. Pets may be allowed with some restrictions.

Utilities and Services

Most rental housing requires the tenant to pay some or all of the utilities such as heat, water, and electricity in addition to your rent. As a tenant, it is your responsibility to contact the utility agencies for which you are responsible for paying and inform them of your residency. It is not up to your landlord to do this for you. It is a good idea to find out right away what utilities you are responsible for and to contact the appropriate agencies as soon as possible to avoid possible overdue bills/charges.

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Gas

Most apartment rentals do not charge the tenant for the cost of gas, however most private house rentals and Manitoba Housing units have the tenant responsible for the gas bill. Most use Centra Gas, but check with your landlord first or look i the Yellow Pages under "Gas Companies".

Centra Gas (part of Manitoba Hydro)

444 St. Mary Avenue
480-5900

Hydro

Some homes use electric heat, which can be very expensive during the winter months. You may inquire about the Budget Plan and see if this would be a more affordable option for you. In most rental houses and apartment the cost of hydro is the responsibility of the tenant. Contacting the appropriate hydro company once you secure a home is vital if you want electricity once you move in!

If you are a first time customer you may be required to provide a deposit, usually around $25.

Manitoba Hydro

820 Taylor Avenue
474-3311

Water

Unless you are renting a private house, it is unlikely you will be expected to pay the water costs. The cost of water is normally included in the rent.

City of Winnipeg Water Department

510 Main Street
986-5858

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Telephone

MTS provides residential and business service in Winnipeg. For long distance services there are several competing companies. Applying for service can be done at any Phone Centre and you may rent or buy a phone from MTS or a retail store. Acceptable identification is required to apply for phone service. Acceptable forms of identification include a driver's license, status card or a Manitoba Health Card.

A deposit is usually required and is reimbursed after a few months if you pay your bill on time. Phone Centres are located in Polo Park Shopping Centre, St. Vital Centre, Kildonan Place, and Garden City Shopping Centre. Or you may call 225-5687 for further information.

MTS

225-5687
www.mts.mb.ca

Canada Reconnect

1-800-930-6644
www.canadareconnect.com