President Cathy Skene opened the meeting with the club's land acknowledgement and the singing of O'Canada led by Dave Morris.

Chair Announcements

President Cathy reminded us that Sunday February 2nd was Groundhog Day, and Manitoba Merv has predicted an early spring for Manitoba. And Merv has a nearly flawless record. Groundhog Day is also World Wetlands Day, and Merv told her he’s fine with sharing the honour. After all, without wetlands many species of plants and animals could not survive. Wetlands are land areas that are saturated or flooded with water either permanently or seasonally. Like the Eve Werier pond. Manitoba Merv expressed an interest in visiting the pond if he can ever figure out how to get there from Oak Hammock Marsh.

And on the subject of water, we are probably all feeling a bit ‘at sea’ with the new tariffs being imposed from south of the border. President Cathy said she is trying to follow the teaching of Jon Kabat-Zinn (the mindfulness teacher) who said: “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf”. And I’ll do my best to support those who are being harmed more, or are more vulnerable, than she is. We all went through Covid. Most of our parents and/or grandparents went through WWI, the Great Depression, and WWII. Not to mention the Great Recession of 2008. Bad things happen, and it’s tough, but people are tougher.

And people will continue to celebrate. We have a date for our 40th anniversary dinner: April 28. This is a Monday night so it will be at our usual time, but bigger and better. Guests are very welcome. We are planning a digital photo display as well as a short film about the history of the club. If you have any pictures and/or video that you can share please let Rod know. Please don’t send Rod a whole bunch of mystery photos: include names of people in the photo, the date, and what’s happening. Jack, Rod and Nick will be handling the technical side. Glenn, LeeAnn, David and Cathy are the rest of the committee. If you have ideas, raffle or door prizes to offer, please speak to one of us.

A reminder that the district conference will be May 9 and 10 this year. It will be quite short, and very affordable at $50. It is virtual but Warren Thompson is working on putting together a ‘viewing party’ at the Holiday Inn on Portage Avenue. That would involve them having a room and inviting all the Winnipeg Rotary clubs to come and view the event together. There would also be coffee and maybe some snacks. There is also a ‘club’ price for viewing parties, so it may cost you even less.

May 9th is also Winnipeg Assiniboine’s annual fundraising dinner so if you need a bigger party plan on attending that. I expect Warren will be showing up with tickets in the near future, just as we will crash his meeting with tickets for our anniversary dinner.

District Leadership Training will be March 21-23. The in-person event will be in Russell MB, and the training will also be over zoom. This is required training for club president-elects, but all club members are encouraged to attend. You should have received an email invitation from Fred Wright. Also $50. Of course, if you go to Russell, food and room will be extra. Everyone stays at the Russell Inn.

And of course, don’t forget the RI conference in Calgary. It is coming up fast.

Add in Lobsterfest in June and the golf tournament in September, and we have a busy time coming up.

Sarge Lyle introduced our guests as Mary Agnes Welch and Brian Pincott, speaking about the Westminster Housing Society

Lloyd spoke about US AID - We've all been inundated with news from south of the border, but there's one issue LIoyd believes Rotary should seriously consider—perhaps even draft a resolution for the upcoming district meeting. That issue is the cancellation of U.S. foreign aid. This decision affects crucial programs, including support for AIDS treatment, housing initiatives, and assistance for displaced persons in many developing countries. With this gap now widening, we should explore ways to encourage partners like the Gates Foundation to step in and support Rotary’s efforts in addressing these urgent needs.

Mandy spoke about the final 2 weeks of the Ukrainian Furniture drive. Mandy provided an update on the final two weeks of the Bridge of Hope Ukraine furniture drive. The second-to-last collection event is scheduled for Saturday, February 8th, and volunteers are needed for the store, trucks, trailers, and moving efforts. This will also be the final day for furniture donations. A final clearing-out event will follow, along with a cleanup of remaining store items.

Additionally, plans are in motion for a wrap-up social event to celebrate the Ukrainian families supported through the project. A tentative date of Saturday, March 22nd has been suggested, but nothing has been finalized. As this phase concludes, efforts will shift toward the second phase of the project. Mandy expressed gratitude for the community’s contributions and encouraged volunteers to help out this Saturday.

This evening we were joined by Mary Agnes Welch and Brian Pincott, speaking about the Westminster Housing Society. The Winnipeg Rotary Presidents Council are in discussion with the WHS about having a number of clubs get together to support their work.

Introduction

Brian Pincott and Mary Agnes Welch, representing the Westminster Housing Society (WHS), addressed the Winnipeg Rotary Presidents Council to discuss the organization's role in providing affordable housing. The discussion focused on the history of WHS, its current initiatives, and potential partnerships with Rotary clubs to support its work.

The History and Growth of Westminster Housing Society

Westminster Housing Society was founded 30 years ago by a group dedicated to improving housing conditions in West Broadway. Initially, the organization began purchasing and refurbishing old houses to create rental spaces for low-income residents. Over the years, WHS has expanded its portfolio from a single property to 30 properties, providing 121 subsidized housing units across West Broadway and the Spence neighborhood.

Recent Developments: The Good Street Project

A significant milestone for WHS was the completion of a new four-storey apartment building on Broadway Avenue at Good Street. Opened in September, this development provides 21 units of subsidized housing, increasing the organization's capacity to support low-income individuals and families. Nearly all WHS units operate on a rent supplement model, ensuring affordability through provincial government subsidies, with rents ranging between $280 and $380 per month.

Addressing Winnipeg’s Affordable Housing Crisis

Winnipeg faces a deepening housing crisis, with a growing demand for affordable housing options. Many initiatives labeled as "affordable housing" still exceed the budget of the most vulnerable populations. WHS is committed to developing more deeply subsidized housing to meet the needs of individuals on welfare, small pensions, and disability support.

Potential Collaboration with Rotary

Recognizing the importance of community partnerships, WHS is exploring opportunities to collaborate with Rotary clubs. The organization envisions a phased partnership that begins with smaller projects, such as enhancing the curb appeal of existing properties through gardening and beautification efforts. A proposed "Get-the-Garden-Started" event in early June aims to engage Rotary members in hands-on activities, fostering community involvement and laying the groundwork for future collaborations.

Long-Term Goals: Expansion and Infrastructure Improvements

Beyond cosmetic improvements, WHS is planning for significant infrastructure upgrades. Many of its buildings are over 100 years old and require extensive repairs, including window replacements, insulation improvements, and accessibility enhancements. Additionally, WHS is considering new construction projects to expand the supply of deeply subsidized housing.

Challenges in Affordable Housing Development

One of the key challenges WHS faces is the definition of "affordable housing" used by policymakers. Current affordability guidelines, based on 80% of market rent, still place housing costs above what many low-income residents can afford. WHS advocates for a shift toward more socially focused housing policies that prioritize deeply subsidized rental options.

Exploring Alternative Housing Models

During the discussion, a question was raised about adopting a Habitat for Humanity-style model for WHS projects. However, WHS primarily serves tenants who are not in a position to transition into homeownership. Instead, WHS focuses on providing stable rental accommodations for individuals dealing with financial instability, mental health issues, and disabilities. The organization collaborates with social enterprise renovators, such as BUILD, to enhance housing conditions while providing job training opportunities.

Tenant Stability and Support

WHS tenants generally remain in their housing for extended periods, often four to five years or more. Contrary to traditional assumptions that affordable housing serves as a stepping stone to market housing, WHS has found that its tenants typically require long-term rental support. Ensuring financial stability for tenants is an ongoing challenge, with many falling into arrears due to difficulties in completing required subsidy paperwork.

Future Plans and Immediate Priorities

WHS is conducting a facility condition assessment to determine repair priorities for its aging properties. Energy efficiency improvements, accessibility enhancements, and preparing for extreme weather conditions are key areas of focus. The organization is also evaluating whether certain properties should be renovated or replaced with new multi-unit developments, leveraging recent zoning changes that allow for higher-density housing.

Conclusion

Westminster Housing Society remains committed to providing secure, affordable housing as a means of fostering stability and opportunity for Winnipeg’s most vulnerable residents. The organization is eager to deepen its collaboration with Rotary clubs, starting with community beautification efforts and potentially leading to larger-scale development projects. By working together, WHS and its partners can make a meaningful impact on the affordable housing landscape in Winnipeg.

Charleswood Rotary thanks both Mary Agnes and Brian for taking time out of their busy schedules and keeping us all informed of the work that Westminster Housing Society does in our community by looking after those in need of social housing. Looking forward to hearing how the collaboration with the Rotary Clubs of Winnipeg work out.

Happy Bucks, birthdays, anniversaries…

• Ed Toews had a birthday and everyone sang Happy Birthday. He also returned from Florida after 2 weeks. The first nine days, it never got above 50 degrees and it was raining every morning. But the highlight was he was on one of those airboats and went up the Everglades chasing alligators. And that was a lot of fun.
• Chuck informed us he was going to the Jets game and had heard fans were booking the US National Anthem due to the tariff debacle. He asked the members and guests if they felt this was something he should join in. The consensus was that it would be impolite and should not be encouraged.

Sarge Lyle held the draw. Jack had the winning ticket however did not draw the winning marble.

Next week our speaker will be Past President Iain Scott, proving an Artificial Intelligence update.

February 17th is Louis Riel Day, so we won’t be meeting as a club. Louis Riel Day honours the Metis people, and Louis Riel, the First Premier of Manitoba. Think about what you can do to acknowledge the day. President Cathy will be reading stories to children at Fort Whyte Alive.