New Winnipeg housing project marks first development by Shoal Lake 40 First Nation

A new housing project in Winnipeg is being called a step forward in economic reconciliation.

On Tuesday, the federal government, along with Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, Manitoba Housing and the City of Winnipeg, announced over $51 million in combined funding to help build affordable housing in St. James.

Project Details

The project, located at 2675 Portage Avenue, will include 150 secure apartment-style homes with a mix of one, two and three-bedroom units. 

It will be wholly owned by Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, an Ojibwe Nation located on the Ontario/Manitoba border, with over 70 percent of its reserve land in Manitoba. It also marks the first housing development in Winnipeg by Shoal Lake 40 First Nation.

“Shoal Lake 40 First Nation helped the city with its drinking water shortage by supplying sustainable, clean drinking water for over 106 years to the residents and businesses of Winnipeg through the aqueduct that was built on our land,” said Chief of Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, Herb Greene. “We are now coming to the city’s aid again with this $48 million affordable housing development, providing a cost-effective housing solution to the city’s critical Housing Shortage.”

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City Support

Winnipeg is contributing $2 million through its Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) Capital Grant Incentive program to support the project, helping create more housing options for residents.

“Every Winnipegger deserves a safe, affordable place to call home,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham. “These new homes will create more housing options for Winnipeg families, while also advancing economic reconciliation with Shoal Lake 40 First Nation. With investment from the Housing Accelerator Fund, we are increasing the housing supply and helping projects like this move forward to meet the growing needs of our city.”

Affordability and Timeline

Doug Eyolfson, MP for West Winnipeg, notes that more than 40 percent of the rental units will be maintained as affordable for at least 20 years.

The building is expected to be completed in about two years.