The streets of Winnipeg tell a story that numbers alone cannot capture. Behind each tent in encampments scattered throughout the city lies a complex narrative of systemic failure, personal struggle, and a housing market that has left vulnerable citizens behind. A comprehensive new report released Tuesday by End Homelessness Winnipeg paints a troubling picture of how the city’s affordable housing shortage has become a primary driver of its growing homelessness crisis.
“What we’re seeing is not just a housing problem, but a full-blown humanitarian crisis,” says Jason Whitford, CEO of End Homelessness Winnipeg. “When individuals spend over 50% of their income on housing, they’re forced to make impossible choices between paying rent, buying food, or addressing healthcare needs.”
The report, which analyzed data from multiple service providers and conducted interviews with those experiencing homelessness, reveals that Winnipeg’s vacancy rate has plummeted to just 1.1% for affordable units—well below the 3% threshold considered healthy for a balanced market. This scarcity has created a perfect storm where even employed individuals find themselves unable to secure stable housing.
According to the findings, nearly 70% of those currently experiencing homelessness in Winnipeg cited inability to find affordable housing as their primary barrier to stability. The report further shows that the average one-bedroom apartment now requires a monthly income of approximately $2,600 to be considered affordable—a figure well beyond what many minimum wage earners or social assistance recipients can manage.
The document doesn’t shy away from addressing the complex interplay between housing insecurity and other social challenges. “We cannot separate the housing crisis from issues of addiction, mental health, and systemic poverty,” notes Whitford. “When someone lacks stable housing, managing addiction becomes exponentially more difficult, creating a downward spiral that’s extraordinarily difficult to escape.”
Manitoba’s recent shifts in addiction services have compounded these challenges. While the province has invested in recovery-oriented care, the report highlights a critical gap in supportive housing—residences that provide both shelter and integrated services for those navigating complex needs.
For Indigenous communities, who are disproportionately affected by homelessness in Winnipeg, the crisis reflects deeper historical wounds. “This isn’t just about current market conditions,” explains Elder Mae Louise Campbell, who contributed to the report. “We’re seeing the ongoing impacts of colonization, systemic discrimination, and intergenerational trauma manifesting through housing insecurity.”
The report comes amid growing political tensions over how best to address homelessness in Canadian cities. While some advocates push for housing-first approaches that prioritize getting people into homes before addressing other issues, others argue for more investment in treatment facilities and mental health services.
What distinguishes this report is its emphasis on economic analysis. “Homelessness costs our healthcare system, justice system, and social services far more than providing housing would,” notes economist Marion Sandilands, who reviewed the findings. “We’re estimating that each chronically homeless individual costs public systems approximately $55,000 annually—significantly more than providing supportive housing.”
Winnipeg is not alone in this struggle. Across Canada, major urban centers are grappling with similar crises as housing markets outpace income growth and social supports fail to bridge the gap. The report places Winnipeg’s challenges within this national context while highlighting the city’s unique demographic and economic factors.
As municipal leaders review the findings, advocates are calling for immediate action, including zoning reforms to enable more multi-unit developments, expanded rent subsidies, and partnerships with private developers to create more affordable units.
“This isn’t just a question of compassion, though that should be enough,” concludes Whitford. “It’s a question of what kind of city we want Winnipeg to be—one where housing is a privilege for the wealthy, or one where it’s recognized as a basic human right.”
As winter approaches and temperatures drop, the report’s timing adds urgency to its recommendations. The question now facing Winnipeg residents and their elected officials is whether this latest documentation of the crisis will catalyze meaningful change, or simply join previous studies on government shelves while more citizens find themselves without a place to call home.
