Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Neighbourhoods Alive!?

Neighbourhoods Alive! is Manitoba's long-term strategy to support and encourage community-driven revitalization efforts in designated urban neighbourhoods in Winnipeg, Brandon and Thompson. The goal of Neighbourhoods Alive! is to address some of the issues identified in a neighbourhood by building on the strengths of the community.

In practical terms, this means that Neighbourhoods Alive! can help neighbourhoods organize, develop a community plan, undertake and co-ordinate neighbourhood supported projects for the revitalization of the community. Neighbourhoods Alive! provides financial support to projects to which the neighbourhood can contribute cash from other sources, labour, materials, services or other in-kind support. Neighbourhoods Alive! also links neighbourhood-identified priorities with a variety of existing public sector services and programs.

Neighbourhoods Alive! includes the following components:

• Neighbourhood Renewal Fund
• Neighbourhood Development Assistance Program
• Training Initiatives
• Community Initiatives
• Neighbourhoods Housing Assistance
• Lighthouses
• Community Youth Recreation
• Urban Art Centres
• School Resource Officers

2. Which communities can receive Neighbourhoods Alive! support?

See which communities are eligible for funding.

3. How were communities selected?

Neighbourhoods Alive! originally focused on Manitoba's three largest cities in recognition that Winnipeg, Brandon and Thompson neighbourhoods face the most severe challenges. In April 2007, Neighbourhoods Alive expanded to serve five new communities including Portage la Prairie, Dauphin, Selkirk, Flin Flon and The Pas. These urban centres were chosen because they have the greatest revitalization needs based on socio-economic conditions, housing conditions and population indicators.

The City of Winnipeg has classified Winnipeg's highest needs neighbourhoods as Major Improvement Areas (MIAs), based on a variety of indicators (e.g. condition of housing, rental and ownership rates, unemployment and poverty rates, income levels, incidence of crime). Several MIA neighbourhoods in Winnipeg have been designated under Neighbourhoods Alive!, including: West Broadway, Spence, William Whyte, Lord Selkirk Park, Point Douglas, Dufferin, St. John's, Daniel McIntyre, St. Matthews, Centennial, West Alexander and North Portage. In Brandon, the core area of the city has been designated, while in Thompson, the entire city is designated, with particular emphasis on areas/pockets in greatest need. (Please refer to maps for designated neighbourhoods.)

The government recognizes there is demand for this type of support beyond the neighbourhoods that have been designated. However, by targeting Neighbourhoods Alive! resources to a limited number of high needs neighbourhoods, the Province hopes to have maximum impact.

4. How do you apply for the Neighbourhoods Alive! programs?

Download and complete the following application and buget worksheet:

• Neighbourhood Renewal Fund or Community Initiatives program Application Form (.doc)
• Neighbourhood Renewal Fund or Community Initiatives program Budget Worksheet (.xls)
  
  
  • Neighbourhood Renewal Fund or Community Initiatives program Budget Sample (.pdf)

Completed application packages (application and budget) must be submitted to Neighbourhoods Alive! by the intake dates listed below.

The 2012 application deadlines for the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and Community Initiatives programs are April 15, 2012 and October 15th, 2012.

5. Who decides which projects get funding assistance?

At that time, staff review all proposals received to see if they meet the program guidelines. They may contact the sponsoring organization for more information or clarification. They often work with the community to rework the proposal so that the project will complement other activities and avoid duplication of efforts.

The proposals are then circulated to other key provincial departments that are represented on a Neighbourhoods Alive! Interdepartmental Working Group. The Working Group meets monthly to discuss proposals and monitor the progress of Neighbourhoods Alive!

Finally, recommendations from the Working Group go to the Neighbourhoods Alive! Steering Committee of Cabinet Ministers, chaired by the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, and including the Ministers of Justice, Family Services & Housing, Aboriginal & Northern Affairs, and Education, Citzenship & Youth. The Steering Committee makes decisions regarding funding of specific projects.

Neighbourhood Renewal Corporations (NRCs) representing neighbourhood interests, are also involved in the Initiative. All Neighbourhood Renewal Fund project proposals are vetted through the local NRC's prior to or during submission to NA! to ensure broad neighbourhood support. The NRCs co-ordinate community engagement activities and involve the community in developing neighbourhood plans and setting neighbourhood priorities.

6. How much funding is available?

In 2010/11, approximately $5.6 million has been set aside for Neighbourhoods Alive!, for the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, Community Initiatives Program, Neighbourhood Development Assistance, Training Initiatives, Community Youth Recreation and School Resource Officers.

7. Who can access Neighbourhoods Alive! funding?

Neighbourhoods Alive! provides funding support to neighbourhood organizations representing residents, local businesses and other interested stakeholders in the community and whose overall purpose is to improve the quality of life in the neighbourhood. Project proposals should demonstrate community support.

8. Where can I get more information?

See our contact information.