Executive Director: Manitoba Government and Rent Subsidies

executive director: Chahal is the executive director of the Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council that runs Welcome Place. "About 30 refugees are coming this week and more will continue to come until the end of December," she says. "While agencies are doing what they can to get ready for the next wave, a lack of affordable housing could cause a bottleneck in the system." A spokesperson for the Manitoba government said there are ongoing conversations about providing additional rent subsidies to refugees but cautioned the province faces "serious fiscal constraints." "Manitoba new government is pursuing new and innovative approaches in helping refugees to adjust, find work in the community and be a productive part of Manitoba inclusive society," said Ian Wishart, minister of education and training in an email, according to CBC. Housing the No. 1 need for unprecedented number of Syrian refugees in Manitoba Welcome Place opens 2 overflow locations to help settle Syrian refugees Chahal warned of a domino effect if Manitoba isn't able to provide permanent housing to the newcomers. "They will be stuck longer in temporary accommodations, and some of the integration that needs to happen doesn't kick in till they move. She says if a rent supplement under the former NDP government is not revived, she doesn't know how newcomers will be able to pay their rent without dipping into their food money or federal child benefit. It will take longer for children to be placed in schools, longer for getting settled in a neighbourhood, and longer to find medical care and support in a community," she said. "Getting them into permanent housing is absolutely critical." Uncertainty over rent supplement ​The former provincial government set up a rent support program so refugees could transition from temporary housing into a permanent home within a few weeks. The new Progressive Conservative government has not said whether it will be reinstated. "We have let the provincial government know what the need is. But that program has run out, Chahal said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.