Preamble:  While affordable housing has been recognized as a high need area, student housing has not.

Resolution: That the Government of Manitoba’s departments of education and housing offer financial support for a pilot project focused on reducing the financial costs for students and/or increasing student access to student housing in high need areas.

Resolution Reports: 

MCC Advocacy (additions since last report are in italics):

May 21, 2008: An MCC ‘Inside the Chamber’ Web Story entitled “IT HAPPENED AT THE AGM: PART 3 – MCC Announces Resolutions For 2008-2009″ provided access to each and every Resolution passed at the AGM. Notice of this story was circulated through the MCC e-Omnibus which is sent to all MCC members, Media and Government.

June 4, 2008: For the first time ever the MCC made available its handbook on ‘Policies & Resolutions’ which contains Resolutions in one handy format. An MCC ‘Inside the Chamber’ Web Story entitled “MCC Releases Policy Handbook” announced this initiative. Notice of this story was circulated through the MCC e-Omnibus which is sent to all MCC members, Media and Government.

June 6, 2008: Resolution books were sent to every MLA and every Member of Parliament that hails from Manitoba. The following had this Resolution specifically drawn to their attention with a detailed letter setting out the background to this issue, Government initiatives (where applicable), and an argument for the Resolution:

• Minister of Advanced Education & Literacy
• Minister of Aboriginal & Northern Affairs
• Minister of Family Services & Housing

September 29, 2008: Wrote to the sponsoring chambering in relation to this matter.

October 20, 2008: The 2008 third quarter edition of the Focus mentioned this Resolution in its report on the MCC AGM. The Focus magazine goes out to 10,000 businesses and community leaders across Manitoba.

Developments (additions since last report are in italics):

August 20, 2008: The Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy wrote to the MCC in relation to this matter. That correspondence advised as follows:

Finally, in terms of the MCC’s resolution pertaining to support for student residences/housing and increasing access to such opportunities, I am pleased to inform you that the Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation is currently planning for the construction of at least 40 new multi-family housing units, with an estimated investment of $4.8 million for Thompson and $4.2 million for The Pas as part of UCN’s campus redevelopment initiative. These housing units will enable northern learners to benefit from affordable housing while completing their education at UCN, with a special focus on those learners with small families. The estimated completion time for this housing initiative is June of 2009. 

Current Status (additions since last report are in italics):

January 29, 2008: Seek feedback from the sponsoring chamber.