The McLaren House
Single Room Occupancy (SRO) sector or Single Room Accommodation (SRA)
Supportive housing is a core focus of Equal Housing Initiative’s work, as the organization believes that access to stable, affordable housing combined with comprehensive support services is crucial for addressing homelessness and housing insecurity.
SROs are usually older, turn-of-the-century buildings that have been converted into residences. Typically, the conversion of these buildings has been limited to closing off spaces into smaller rooms to make space for individual residences, and has not included a full renovation (i.e., HVAC, bathrooms). These buildings can be found across Canada, and many have reached their life expectancy. Often age and deterioration make them dangerous to live in and in some cases, unlivable or unsustainable.
The McLaren Hotel was built in 1910. At any given time, most of the 150 rooms spread over 6 floors are inhabited, though a small percentage see a high rate of turnover. With 150 rooms, the McLaren Hotel is the biggest SRO in Winnipeg, with other SROs ranging from 30 to 60 rooms. In comparison, homes in the rooming house sector typically have 6 to 12 rooms.
Lack of Livable Spaces
A single room occupancy hotel, such as the McLaren Hotel, is an important part of an effective housing strategy. SROs are important because they are among the most financially accessible units in the private housing market, and they can provide the support needed to help people get back on their feet.
The need to revitalize SROs in Winnipeg has become urgent for several reasons. One of the most important being that available living spaces are under threat of demolition. This vulnerability is a central finding of Susan Mulligan’s (2007) dissertation. Mulligan found that “This housing stock is under threat to conversion and demolition resulting in displacement in a city where there is little affordable housing available” (p. iii). Despite more than 1000 people living in SROs, Mulligan found that there have been next to no social service programs (p. iii).
In its 2020 Comprehensive Housing Needs Assessment, the City of Winnipeg also reported that there were only 127 units dedicated as Permanent Supportive Housing in Winnipeg (Carter, Janzen, & Scott McCullough, 2020).
Revitalization of Single Room Accommodation (SRA)
The McLaren Hotel in Winnipeg lacks proper living spaces, including bathrooms, kitchens, and proper ventilation, which are crucial for maintaining personal health and wellbeing. The hotel’s six floors have 25 to 26 rooms, with communal bathrooms becoming all-purpose rooms. The lack of physical space can hinder the delivery of needed support, especially for residents undergoing personal recovery from trauma or addiction. The physical space should allow for various supports to help residents recover financially and personally.
The McLaren Hotel redevelopment
The objective of the project is to retrofit and repurpose a 113-year-old, 150-room, derelict hotel into affordable, supportive and adequate housing.
In the updated design, the hotel consists of 156 rooms distributed across six floors. Nine different types of units are available, each equipped with its own 3-piece bathroom comprising a toilet, sink, and either a shower or a bathtub/shower combination.
The building has been designed with full Universal Design, and 21% of the rooms have been specifically designed to be accessible. Moreover, there are two laundry facility rooms available on every floor, and in response to the residents’ feedback received during the consultation process, a communal kitchen is provided on every second floor. The rent includes utilities and cable services for the tenants’ added convenience.
To enhance the supportive component of the project, the first floor incorporates several dedicated spaces, including:
• A gathering space for culturally appropriate healing services.
• Administrative space for coordination and building maintenance staff.
• A para-health care provider space for social work and occupational therapy activities.
• A food storage area for the creation of a peer-led grocery store for McLaren tenants.
• A 3-bed medical unit designated for inpatients discharged from the hospital, which can also be used for individuals completing home dialysis
• An educational space designed to provide continuous learning opportunities for our practicum students.
