Evidence of that came in the form of four Manitoba-made housing projects taking home top honours at the recent 2008 CMHC Housing Awards: Flora Place in Winnipeg, Pocket Housing/Suites, also in Winnipeg, Penfeld Place in Steinbach and Billy Halcrow Subdivision in Cross Lake.
An impressive feat, considering a total of 16 awards were handed out.
"It's not only a great honour for us, but for Manitoba," said Laurie Socha, general manager of Sam Management Inc., who along with the MMM Group (formerly ND Lea), Cohlmeyer Architects -- with additional support from the CMHC, Caisse Populaire, City of Winnipeg, Winnipeg Housing & Homelessness Initiative, J & J Penner and the Spence and Centennial Neighbourhood Association -- made Pocket Suites at 156 Kate St. a reality. "It was a real group effort that resulted in providing affordable housing that promoted the dignity of individual residents."
Socha added the pocket suites concept was conceived by the MMM Group's Paul McNeil in an effort to find an alternative to rooming houses, where housing conditions are often substandard, and occupants must share limited space.
"Cohlmeyer Architects (in the person of Steve Cohlmeyer) did a great job of designing single-persons housing that fit on lots that weren't large enough to fit single-family units," she said. "There are two houses with eight units of about 230 square feet each. They're small, bright and have private entrances and their own kitchen and bathroom. It's a pilot project; we're waiting to make sure everything works before moving forward with more."
Another good news story in the city's North End can be found at 1 Flora Place, the former site of 100 homes built to temporarily house soldiers returning from duty in the Second World War. Back in 1999/2000, approximately three-quarters of the homes were demolished. The city then approached the Winnipeg Rehabilitation and Housing Corp. about redeveloping the site. After receiving a $3.6-million grant from the Winnipeg Housing and Homelessness Initiative (WHHI), the project was a go.
Today, 28 new one-storey townhouses (ranging from one to three-bedrooms) with grade-level entrances -- complete with front porches -- have replaced the wartime homes.
"We're very proud of Flora Place," said the WHRC's Menno Peters. "It was a challenging project in that the area was very personal to area residents. We had lots of meetings to assure them that it would be beneficial to the area -- and to retain community spirit. The fact that the CMHC recognized the need was great. It's been a big thing to those in the community -- it's been great to get residents brand-new homes to live in. It's just icing on the cake to be recognized."
Peters said the project -- a collaboration between the community, professional agencies such as Prairie Architects and the three levels of government -- has been a real shot in the arm to the community.
"It's been a wonderful addition for several reasons -- the homes are bigger, starting at 600 sq. ft and up (the old wartime homes were about 400 sq. ft. in size), the homes are visitable and Prairie Architects built a beautiful inner courtyard into the design," he said. "Now, residents can not only enjoy their homes, but get together on their front porches or in the courtyard and enjoy the weather and each other."
Meanwhile, Penfeld Place -- located at 151 Penfeld Drive in Steinbach -- is providing safe, affordable housing to those with mental-health issues, or who are living on fixed incomes.
"It goes without saying that we're very encouraged by the award," said James Friesen, CEO of Eden Health Care, owner/operators of the three-storey, 24-suite complex. "There just wasn't affordable housing available for those with mental illness or fixed incomes to go to, so we came up with this concept. Everyone came together to make it happen -- the CMHC, Manitoba Housing, lending institutions and the community. The project created strong partnerships that will endure beyond this project."
Most importantly, added Friesen, Penfeld Court is a place where people can go to regroup in a clean, safe setting that allows them to have their own private space -- at an affordable price.
"The key is that having your own space preserves your dignity -- everyone should have a good place to live. At the same time, Penfeld Court also helps combat the stigma associated with mental illness that those suffering from different challenges don't deserve a good place to live," he said. "Truth is that 99 per cent of recovery takes place in the community. A decent, affordable place to live plays a key role in getting better."
Billy Halcrow Subdivision in Cross Lake, the final award recipient, is another example of ingenuity. Geothermal heating was to used to allow for optimum energy-efficiency throughout the building process, while the overall design was aimed at providing energy-efficient, affordable homes for residents of central Manitoba's Cross Lake Band. Not only is geothermal heating exceedingly green, but it will reduce heating and cooling costs -- and enhance interior comfort in homes year-round.
lewys@mts.net
