Fre Maachi and the Manitoba Metis Federation
In March 2023, the Manitoba Metis Federation (MFF) officially opened. Located at 670 Main Street in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the three-story, 20-unit transitional housing project is named ‘Fre Maachi, ' which means ‘Fresh Beginnings’ in Michif.
The building has 20 ready-to-move-in units. Four are 2-bedroom units intended for women and children fleeing domestic violence. Six of the units will be accessible (the construction of these units enabled independent living for people with disabilities). All the units are fully furnished, and each tenant will receive a ‘Red River Sash’ to let them know that they are not alone and have support and a community behind and beside them.
https://www.portagecollege.ca/documents/events/corporate/knowledge%20keepers/KnowledgeKeeper3.pdf
‘Fre Maachi’ is the first project in Winnipeg to be completed under the Rapid Housing Initiative for Round 2. The project ‘Fre Maachi’, along with the MMF’s Rapid Services was designed to support the Red River Metis citizens who experience homelessness. In 2022, 9.8% of Winnipeg’s Homelessness population identified as Metis.
This project came to life through the federal government’s housing strategy, the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI). The RHI announced its focus on the immediate housing need for vulnerable people.
The Rapid Service team will provide the tenant with a welcome kit. The welcome kit includes hygiene products, cleaning supplies, and laundry soaps. The MMF will also be giving wrap-around services to its tenants. Some of these services will help with addiction and mental health, computer access, employment and training, cultural programming, free Wi-Fi, free laundry, an ID clinic, and more.
With $12.7 million from the Federal Government's RHI and $3.4 million from the city of Winnipeg, ‘Fre Maachi’ can now provide housing support and more to and for their tenants – “We want them to avoid returning to homelessness. We want to include employment abilities. We want a personal well-being” – Will Goodon, Minister of Housing and Property Management with the MMF.
Along with the wrap-around services, ‘Fre Maachi’ will also provide MMF’s Rapid Services Program for Metis Citizens who are experiencing homelessness. The MMF Rapid Services has the Rapid Services Team that offers support with urgent housing needs. The Coordinated access teams help individuals and families with housing and support services.
Some of their Rapid Services are:
- Advocacy
- Access to computers
- Basic needs
- Housing assistance and support
- Workshops and activities
- Outreach
- Rapid Services Financial Assistance (RSFA)
These services are based on a standardized set of procedures for client intake, assessment needs, and housing referrals. To gain support from the Manitoba Metis Federation – Rapid Services, email them at intakerapidservices@mmf.mb.ca or by phone at 204-589-1613.
The traditional housing centre for the Metis population is located at 670 Main Street (cross street at Henry Avenue). The MMF – Rapid Services also provides financial assistance to eligible people. The objective of the financial assistance program is to provide the Metis population with financial support to help pay for basic necessities, which include food, water, clothing, shelter, heat, education, and healthcare, and to other Red River Metis citizens who are affected by Covid-19, homeless, or at risk of being homeless or in unstable housing.
How to Apply:
The Rapid Service team at MMF – Rapid Services uses a coordinated access process. Coordinated access is the process through which homeless or at-risk individuals or families gain access to housing, health, and support services based on a standard set of intake, assessment, and referral procedures.
If you want access to these programs and services, you can start by emailing or calling the Intake Coordinator at intakerapidservices@mmf.mb.ca or by phone at 204-589-1613. After getting in contact with the Intake Coordinator, you will then be asked to fill out a few forms depending on your situation:
- A referral form: for referrals from other agencies.
- Client Intake form: if you are applying for yourself or with another agency.
- A Consent form: this might be required for someone acting on your behalf, like EIA or other agencies.
Once all the relevant information is collected, your caseworker can determine your level of action and needs and how the Rapid Services team can help you.
Everyone is welcome at Fre Maachi. However, the Rapid Service teams state that they can only offer advice or referrals to those in need who are not Metis. The casework, programs and services are only available to Red River Metis citizens.
By: Tricia Cook, Content Navigator