The owner of an inner city Winnipeg hotel that once served as a long-term residence for dozens of people lost an appeal against a city order to vacate the remaining tenants from the premises.
City council’s property and development committee voted Monday to deny an appeal against a city order to empty out the Manwin Hotel, which sits one block north of downtown on the Main Street strip.
The hotel was the subject of dozens of visits by city inspectors, a previous city closure order in 2021 and a public protest against the living conditions within its 35 suites — only 24 of which are permitted by the city — according to city property officials.
They ordered it closed on Jan. 3 on the basis of electrical, structural, fire-safety and other livability issues, according to documents posted as part of the appeal.
Eight residents still remain in the hotel, Manwin owner Akim Kambamba told the committee.
He had pleaded with the city to keep the hotel open on the basis the remaining residents are at risk of having nowhere to live.
“Most of these poor folks affected are on social assistance and they cannot afford higher rents let alone find affordable housing,” Kambaba told the city in his appeal letter.
Property committee chair Evan Duncan (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood) told the committee while there are legitimate concerns related to displacing people during a frigid stretch of February, the extremely poor condition of the building merits the closure.
City officials said they would try to find homes for the remaining residents.
