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COVID-19 / Coronavirus Resources for Housing Providers

MNPHA members are concerned about protecting themselves, their staff, and their tenants in this time of uncertainty. While the risk in Manitoba is still low, some of the tenants we serve may be at higher risk if they are exposed to the virus.
We have compiled a number of resources from reliable sources that may be useful for you in your planning and communications. If you see other resources that you would recommend sharing, please send them to us and we will distribute them among MNPHA Members.

Public Health Resources: Who to Call and Where to Find Up-to-Date Information

Manitoba Health, Seniors, and Active Living has strategies for all Manitobans, for educational institutions, for employers, and for travelers. It has up-to-date information from the Government of Manitoba. Manitoba Shared Health also has updates on COVID-19.

Non-Critical Business Closures: Housing Providers are Exempt

The March 30 Public Health Act order requires all businesses not listed on its schedule of critical services to close between April 1 – April 14. Businesses can operate remotely. Businesses that provide “support and maintenance services, including urgent repair, to maintain the safety, security, sanitation and essential operation of institutional, commercial, industrial and residential properties” can remain open, however, the operator of the business must implement measures to ensure that persons attending the place of business are reasonably able to maintain a separation of at least two metres from other persons who are attending the business. The full Public Health Act order is available here.

Meal Programs

Shared Health has asked that all grant-funded organizations and programming take all necessary steps to ensure compliance with the recommendations of social distancing, appropriate screening and restrictions on social gatherings of more than 10 people.
Support Services to Seniors Programs focused on providing congregate meals should be discontinued. Alternative ways to deliver meals to vulnerable seniors must be put into place. Each program is encouraged to work with their local Regional Health Authority on potential alternatives. Read the Shared Health Support Services to Seniors information here

Testing and Who to Call

Anyone concerned about exposure to or risk of having COVID-19 should call Health Links–Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257. An online screening tool is now available
Currently, testing for COVID-19 is only being offered to people who have symptoms and:
  •   –  have traveled outside Manitoba in the past 14 days
  •   –  had close contact with a confirmed case
  •   –  are health care workers
  •   –  are lab workers who have worked with COVID-19 tests
  •   –  live/work in a remote or isolated community or congregate setting, such as a correctional facility, shelter, long- term care or residential facility, or a remote work camp
Those who have symptoms should call Health Links, and not go directly to a testing location.  For updates on testing sites, go to: https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/locations.html

Posters and Fact Sheets

Government of Canada fact sheets

Signage for Staff and Tenants

Other Resources
The Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness has also compiled resources for those working in the homelessness sector.

Response Planning

BC Housing has resources specific for Housing Providers to plan, including templates for:

Resources for Employers

People Corporation Wellness has developed resources for employers:

Residential Tenancies Branch Information

Manitoba to Postpone Eviction Hearings and Freeze Rent Increases:

From our communications with RTB, this means:

  •   –  All currently scheduled eviction hearings are postponed
  •   –  Any breach in a mediated agreement that would lead to an automatic eviction without a hearing will NOT be granted OP (order of possession) papers until after the pandemic
  •   –  No mediated agreements that might result in an eviction (e.g. having to pay rent on time or having to stick to a payment plan) will be scheduled
  •   –  Mediated agreements that do not involve a potential eviction (such as mediated move outs) will continue to be conducted
  •   –  For tenants who have given notice to move but choose not to move, no eviction hearings will be conducted during this period
  •   –  For tenants whose landlords were granted OPs from hearings prior to today, the RTB no longer has jurisdiction and it’s up to the Sheriff’s office to enforce the OP
  •   –  Any rent increases set for April 1 must be cancelled immediately or rebated.  Housing providers can still document rent increases and register/notify tenants of changes as usual, but give tenants notice that they are postponed/increases will not occur until the freeze is lifted.

Rent Increase Information for Non-Profits Exempt from RTB Guidelines

No housing provider is exempt from the rent increase freeze announcement, whether or not they are regulated by the Residential Tenancies Act.

The Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada has advised co-ops to follow the spirit of the announcement and not increase housing charges or terminate any memberships at this time.

For organizations with an agreement with Manitoba Housing, Manitoba Housing will delay anticipated changes in program income limits and utility rates for the social and affordable housing programs and continue using the rates from 2019. Fixed shelter (EIA, affordable, market and rent supplements) rates will remain unchanged until further notice. Contact your Portfolio Manager if you have any questions.

CMHC Information for Housing Providers

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has sent communications stating that: “we expect any housing provider who has received financing or support from CMHC, directly or via provinces and territories, to act compassionately and refrain from eviction.”

If you are a housing provider or co-op who is receiving financing or support from CMHC:

  • CMHC will work with each of you individually to be able to find the best solution. They have a series of tools and relief measures for housing providers including deferral of loan payment, capitalization, special payment arrangements, advancing flexibilities, and any combination of tools.
  • CMHC will ensure that eligible housing providers who have opted-in the Phase 2 of the Federal Community Housing Initiative, and who have federally administered operating agreements expiring in the coming months, continue to receive their current level of financial assistance so that there is no disruption in assistance to households. Additional information will be shared in the coming weeks. Any questions in the interim can be directed to: [email protected].
  • On a case-by-case basis, CMHC will consider flexibility for subsidy suspensions for new accounts as a result of a breach in their agreements.

Read CMHC Questions and Answers on their programs and services

Resources for Tenants