The objective of this research was to determine whether the rate of Employment and Income Assistance (EIA), as paid by the Province of Manitoba to eligible recipients, is sufficient to obtain and maintain adequate shelter in six urban centres in Manitoba. These communities are: Winnipeg, Brandon, Thompson, Portage la Prairie, Steinbach and Selkirk. Special consideration was given to persons who are experiencing mental illness. What becomes clear within this research is that the shelter rates of EIA are inadequate to obtain and maintain safe, affordable housing in Manitoba. This is evident when the current Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) rates are compared with the following measurements: the rental rates in six urban centres (Census and CMHC data) and the current minimum wage, the Market Basket Measures and the After-tax Low-Income Cutoffs.
A brief housing analysis in each centre also illustrates exceptionally low vacancy rates, rising rents and dwindling rental stocks. It is also evident that the rates of EIA are inadequate when recording the testimonials of individuals who are living on the EIA incomes within Manitoba.
Housing is widely recognized as a key determinant of physical and mental health. Yet the needs of the most vulnerable individuals in Manitoba are not being met.