Chiara House receives the green light for tenants to move in
City of Winnipeg approves tenancy for a church-initiated affordable housing project
WINNIPEG, MB—Affordable housing for Winnipeg’s West End continues to be a struggle for its residents but the people of Little Flowers Community are tearing down financial barriers and building new walls to face the problem head-on.
Four years ago Chiara House began as a dream and now the finishing touches are being completed at 490 Maryland Street. The City of Winnipeg has approved the group’s tenancy application and tenants are moving in.
Each floor of the three-storey building has bachelor, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartment available for what would be considered below average for rent for the area.
“It is below average [rent] and can still be a struggle for some low income people in the neighbourhood but this is a step in the right direction,” says Jamie Arpin-Ricci, pastor of Little Flowers Community.
The vision for Chiara House is an intentional community made up of Little Flowers Community members, low income residents, and those with mental disabilities who struggle to find a stable living environment. Portions of that vision have been realized with a single bachelor suite renovated to be a shared community space and a single basement apartment to be used on an emergency basis to serve as a shelter for those in need.
While it does not completely solve the problem of affordable housing in Winnipeg, Arpin-Ricci says Chiara House is a first step in a long journey. “I know it’s a drop in the bucket for the housing problem but we are hoping that other churches will maybe be inspired to do the same.”
Chiara House is a joint partnership venture with Little Flowers Community, Mennonite Church of Manitoba, Eden Health Services, and others.
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