The Adanac Apartments in Winnipeg are back on the market for $2.6 million after dozens of residents were evicted in August due to safety issues and fire code violations. The commercial real estate company handling the sale has already seen interest from private and non-profit organizations. Marion Willis, executive director of St. Boniface Street Links, hopes that the building will be purchased by someone who will prioritize housing for vulnerable individuals struggling with homelessness, mental health, and addiction. She envisions a community effort involving government agencies, organizations, and individuals to provide support and recovery services within the building.
Willis’s vision for the Adanac Apartments includes teams of caregivers available 24/7 to help residents transition from living on the streets to living in a safe and supportive environment. She emphasizes the importance of addressing fire hazards and ensuring that smoke alarms are functioning properly. To make this vision a reality, she believes that the Manitoba government, Residential Tenancies Branch, emergency services, and city property planning and permitting departments should collaborate to develop a comprehensive plan for the building. Willis is concerned that if the building is simply purchased and renovated for market rents, the cycle of homelessness and vulnerability will continue.
The City of Winnipeg has noted that there are still outstanding orders for the Adanac Apartments to be brought into compliance with safety regulations. These issues will need to be addressed by the new owner. Willis believes that a new approach is needed to address the flaws in the building and create innovative solutions for affordable housing for vulnerable individuals in Winnipeg. She has been in discussions with various stakeholders about the potential opportunities to provide housing and support services for those who need it most in the community.
Willis emphasizes the importance of understanding the needs of the individuals who will be housed in the Adanac Apartments and working with them over time to develop a plan that meets their basic needs. She believes that a collaborative effort involving a variety of stakeholders is necessary to create a successful and sustainable housing solution for Winnipeg’s most vulnerable residents. The hope is that by transforming the Adanac Apartments into a place that prioritizes care and support for its residents, a new model for affordable and supportive housing can be established that could potentially be replicated in other buildings.
