Important Update – CoHabit Inclusive Housing Demonstration Project
Dear Actionmarguerite Residents & Families,
You may have heard that Actionmarguerite has been working closely with CoHabit, a new disability support start-up, and Réseau Compassion Network, our parent organization. We’re pleased to share an important update on the progress we’ve made together over the past year.
Why This Matters
For many years, Actionmarguerite has provided residential support services for adults with disabilities who do not qualify for provincially funded disability services under Manitoba’s Department of Families. Currently, eligibility requires that a person’s disability be acquired in childhood and include an intellectual disability—criteria that exclude many individuals and reflect outdated thinking.
Over time, disability advocates have made it clear: many people do not want to live in institutional or personal care home settings for the rest of their lives. At Actionmarguerite, we’ve supported individuals who feel this way, while continuing to care for others who feel safe and supported in our homes. What’s clear is that more choice is needed.
That’s why we’ve partnered with CoHabit and Réseau Compassion Network to explore a new model of inclusive, community-based living.
The CoHabit Vision: Inclusive communities
CoHabit is designing inclusive, accessible apartments where everyone can live. A percentage of the apartment suites are designated as affordable, and a percentage of suites include government funded disability support services. The goal is to create a welcoming and connected community for all residents in the building where everyone commits to contributing to the sense of safety, belonging and collective wellbeing.
CoHabit’s vision is to help people with disabilities live in regular, integrated communities—not in segregated or isolated environments—while still receiving the daily support they need.
While this vision is still in the early planning stages, we believe it represents a necessary step toward addressing long-standing gaps in housing and disability support and is a meaningful option for younger adults who are referred to personal care home services. By working together, we have the opportunity to help break down barriers of access and discrimination and to ensure that residents at Actionmarguerite have an opportunity to participate in the design of services.
A Bold Step Forward: The Demonstration Project
We are thinking big, starting small and acting now! To bring this vision to life, we are working with CoHabit and Réseau Compassion Network to develop a demonstration project that would offer this new model of living to younger adults currently receiving residential disability services at Actionmarguerite St. Boniface.
We’re excited to share the proposed design, but we want to be clear: this project is still in the conceptual phase. We are likely several years away from opening, and there are significant funding and logistical hurdles to overcome.
Importantly, no one from Actionmarguerite will be forced to move. This project is about creating new options, not replacing existing ones. If the project moves forward, younger adults living at Actionmarguerite St. Boniface will be given first opportunity to consider this new living environment.
The CoHabit demonstration project would include:
- A newly built, fully accessible apartment building (approx. 60 suites; location to be determined)
- A mix of studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 4-bedroom units
- 20–25 deeply affordable suites
- 20 suites with 24/7 disability support services, including scheduled and on-call assistance
- A common kitchen and dining area with daily meal services for residents receiving disability supports and optional meal plans for others
- Resident-led committees to plan social events, foster inclusion and build community
- Optional housekeeping services for all residents (included for those receiving disability support)
This is more than just housing – it’s a way of life rooted in dignity, choice, and belonging.
What’s Next?
The project team has applied for land through the City of Winnipeg Housing Accelerator Fund and is awaiting a response. Securing land is the next critical step, followed by a funding commitment from the Province of Manitoba to support the CoHabit service model.
In the best-case scenario, the project is a minimum of two years away. If land and funding are secured, we will begin engaging with residents and families to gauge interest and co-develop the service model.
Want to Learn More or Share Your Ideas?
We welcome your questions, feedback, and ideas. Please reach out to info@actionmarguerite.ca.
We are grateful for the ways in which you have supported this work so far, and we look forward to keeping you informed as this project evolves. Your insights and engagement will be essential as we move forward together.
Sincerely,
The Actionmarguerite Team