Prime Minister Mark Carney on Nov. 6 announced a federal plan to put Canada on a path to end homelessness within 10 years, backed by nearly C$30 billion proposed in Budget 2026.
The budget proposes C$11.2 billion over four years beginning in fiscal 2027-28, followed by C$17.8 billion in future years. The federal government would provide capital for housing and health infrastructure, while provinces and territories are expected to fund operations and ongoing support services. Budget 2026 links homelessness to gaps across housing, health care, mental health, addictions and social support systems.
Winnipeg is the first announced partnership. Ottawa plans to provide more than C$1 billion in new funding, including up to C$800 million for more than 2,000 supportive and transitional homes. The city and Manitoba are to identify and provide public land, while the province is to operate the homes and support residents.
More than C$200 million in federal funding is planned for construction of the Winnipeg Centre for Mental Health and Addictions. The facility is to combine acute and outpatient care with permanent housing and coordinated support. Manitoba is to cover half its construction cost, operate the center and provide job training and income supports.
Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada’s 2025 point-in-time enumeration counted 65,000 people experiencing homelessness on a single night across 75 communities. The count included people in shelters, transitional housing and unsheltered locations. It was 59% higher than the 2020-22 count in 72 comparable communities, but roughly stable compared with 2023-24.
Winnipeg’s 2024 Street Census counted 2,469 people on Nov. 5, 2024. The city’s housing assessment describes that figure as a significant undercount and says Indigenous people made up 80% of those counted.
Jennifer Moore Rattray, chief executive of End Homelessness Winnipeg, said: “The solutions are already in our communities, led by people and organizations who know what works.” Budget 2026 points to Toronto’s Dunn House as an existing example of a similar approach.
The federal government says it will work with provinces and territories ahead of the Spring Economic Update 2027 to align housing agreements with the homelessness goal. Budget 2026 also says more details on the Reaching Home program are expected early in 2027.
