{"id":6163,"date":"2025-12-02T11:11:41","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T17:11:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cindygilroy.ca\/?p=6163"},"modified":"2025-12-02T11:11:43","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T17:11:43","slug":"from-vacancy-to-renewal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cindygilroy.ca\/index.php\/2025\/12\/02\/from-vacancy-to-renewal\/","title":{"rendered":"From Vacancy to Renewal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why I\u2019m Fighting to Reclaim Our Neighbourhoods<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The City has just released a major report on long-term vacant and derelict properties, and it confirms what so many of us have been saying for years: these neglected buildings are hurting our neighbourhoods, draining city resources, and putting families at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As your councillor, I\u2019ve been pushing hard for stronger tools, real accountability, and meaningful action to address this issue. And after reviewing this report, I am more committed than ever to ensuring Winnipeg stops letting properties sit empty for years and starts using every tool we have to bring them back into safe, productive use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For me, this work is about more than boarded windows or abandoned lots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8230;&#8230;It\u2019s about safety.<br>&#8230;&#8230;It\u2019s about housing.<br>&#8230;&#8230;It\u2019s about dignity.<br>And it\u2019s about ending the cycle of neglect that has weighed down communities like Daniel McIntyre, the West End, William Whyte, and so many others across our city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Problem Is Growing,  And It\u2019s Hitting Vulnerable Neighbourhoods the Hardest<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vacancy in Winnipeg has risen <strong>45% in under four years<\/strong> , increasing from 543 vacant homes in 2021 to 788 in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neighbourhoods with fewer resources, including areas with high Indigenous, newcomer, and low-income populations, are being hit the hardest. In William Whyte alone, problematic properties nearly doubled from 110 in 2024 to 228 in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is not just a neighbourhood issue.<br>It\u2019s a citywide challenge with serious consequences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every long-term vacant house becomes a magnet for&#8230;&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Fires<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Break-ins<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Squatting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Illegal dumping<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ongoing safety concerns for the entire block<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To put this into perspective: Winnipeg\u2019s Fire Paramedic Service responded to <strong>232 fires<\/strong> in William Whyte in just one year, costing taxpayers <strong>$14.5 million<\/strong>. Meanwhile, Sage Creek had only <strong>3 fires<\/strong> in that same period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is the cost of inaction.<br>This is the cost of letting properties sit empty.<br>And it\u2019s exactly why I\u2019ve fought so hard for change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why I\u2019ve Been Fighting So Hard on This File<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For years, I\u2019ve said the same thing: <em>Winnipeg needs real tools to tackle long-term vacant properties \u2014 and we need to actually use them.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This report proves that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong> Stronger enforcement when owners refuse to act<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This includes using \u201ctaking title without compensation\u201d for owners who repeatedly ignore vacant building by-laws. This tool has worked before, and we must use it again when needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Faster intervention, not five year delays<\/strong>!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Right now, properties can sit in tax arrears for up to five years before anything happens. The new recommendations shorten that timeline, something I have pushed for repeatedly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A stronger Empty Building Fee that actually discourages vacancy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead of waiting until year three, the recommended model starts at 1% in year one and increases up to 5% annually. Cities across Canada use this approach successfully, it\u2019s time Winnipeg did too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong> A structured City-led acquisition program<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We need a formal pathway to accept distressed properties from owners who want to transfer them to the City. This allows us to remediate them and bring them back into housing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Partnerships that turn empty lots into homes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Working with Manitoba Housing, Purpose Construction, and Build Inc. beginning in William Whyte will create pathways to affordable homeownership and meaningful neighbourhood renewal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>This Isn\u2019t Just Housing Policy, It\u2019s About Stability and Community Pride<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vacant properties undermine everything around them: safety, property values, and trust in the City\u2019s ability to act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Residents have been raising concerns for years, and I\u2019ve taken those voices into every committee meeting, into Council chambers, and into every motion I\u2019ve brought forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, this report finally gives us a roadmap to move from vacancy to renewal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Actions I\u2019m Supporting at Council<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s what I\u2019ll be fighting for&#8230;..<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A stronger, escalating Empty Building Fee<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduced tax sale timelines<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increased use of \u201ctaking title without compensation\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A dedicated reserve fund for vacant and derelict properties<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A formal acquisition program for distressed homes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Partnerships to build affordable, ownership-focused housing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Better alignment with the Housing Accelerator Fund and poverty reduction work<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These actions aren\u2019t hypothetical they\u2019re real solutions ready to move forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>We Need Action, Not More Delays<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For too long, Winnipeg has watched vacancy grow while other cities put modern tools and real accountability measures in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This report gives us the chance to catch up, and to finally do right by our neighbourhoods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I will support these recommendations because I believe in safe, stable, thriving communities. And I will continue fighting for the tools we need to clean up neglected properties, strengthen our housing options, and bring true renewal to the places that need it most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Winnipeg deserves neighbourhoods that feel cared for, safe, and full of possibility again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And I\u2019m not stopping until we get there.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why I\u2019m Fighting to Reclaim Our Neighbourhoods The City has just released a major report on long-term vacant and derelict &#8230; <\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more-container\"><a title=\"From Vacancy to Renewal\" class=\"read-more button\" href=\"https:\/\/cindygilroy.ca\/index.php\/2025\/12\/02\/from-vacancy-to-renewal\/#more-6163\" aria-label=\"Read more about From Vacancy to Renewal\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6164,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6163","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","infinite-scroll-item","masonry-post","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-20","resize-featured-image"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cindygilroy.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6163","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cindygilroy.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cindygilroy.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cindygilroy.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cindygilroy.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6163"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cindygilroy.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6163\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6165,"href":"https:\/\/cindygilroy.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6163\/revisions\/6165"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cindygilroy.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6164"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cindygilroy.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6163"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cindygilroy.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6163"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cindygilroy.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6163"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}