Manitoba Real Estate Association Unveils a Blueprint for Housing Affordability
Report proposes specific and achievable policy recommendations on housing affordability for Manitoba’s next provincial government.
The Manitoba Real Estate Association (MREA) takes a bold step by releasing its report on Preserving Manitoba’s Affordability Advantage: Improving Access to Homeownership.
Cost of living and housing affordability are top-of-mind issues during this election for Manitobans. Our report proposes specific and achievable policy recommendations for Manitoba’s incoming provincial government to safeguard and expand Manitoba’s affordability advantage within Canada. As monthly bills rise, mortgage payments and rents increase, it is critical that industry and government work together to ensure that Manitobans have housing options across the spectrum that meet their budget, life stage, and needs.
MREA has developed concrete, actionable solutions organized into three pillars:
PILLAR 1: INCLUSIVITY – Promoting a market that is inclusive and accessible for underrepresented groups and first-time home buyers.
- Reform the provincial Land Transfer Tax to reduce cost barriers for first-time and lower-income homebuyers.
- Allocate a portion of the Land Transfer Tax revenue to invest in programs for underrepresented groups entering the housing market.
- Advance reconciliation and support First Nations families living off-reserve to have the opportunity to own their first home.
- Undertake a Shelter Spectrum Review, which will examine the role that government and the private sector can play to increase the impact of government programs and establish partnerships aimed at facilitating the transition from homelessness to homeownership.
PILLAR 2: SUSTAINABILITY – New housing development that is economical and environmentally responsible.
- Incentivize brownfield reclamation and commercial conversation projects.
- Establish a Provincial Housing Trust to help fund brownfield and contaminated site remediation.
- Continue to deliver and expand incentive-based programming that prioritizes energy-saving products and technologies.
PILLAR 3: SUPPLY – A well-supplied housing market is the foundation of an affordable housing market.
- Prioritize the development of housing-enabling infrastructure to enable new housing developments and help offset local costs.
- Create a provincial red tape reduction task force and plan for housing development growth based on best practices from across Canada.
- Conduct a comprehensive provincial land audit to identify properties for sub-division and development of new and low-to-middle-income housing.
The MREA has also asked political parties to respond to a survey on housing affordability. As received, responses will be made available to the public on this page.