Pilot project investigating Winnipeg’s unsafe properties could expand

A program to clean up of quickly demolish damaged buildings in Winnipeg could be expanding.

A Winnipeg committee is looking into the possibility of expanding its team that responds to unsafe properties and buildings.

The city launched the Unsafe Conditions Response Team (UCRT) at the end of last year. The pilot project aims to reduce the amount of time a property stays in a state of disrepair through rapid response to sites impacted by fires, neglect or incomplete demolitions.

Since its launch, the team did over 430 inspections and 46 follow-up inspections. This led to 20 bylaw violation notices, 79 properties referred to city-led remediation, and an increase in response times for unsafe buildings from weeks to one to two business days.

Following this success, Winnipeg’s public service recommended adding three full-time, temporary positions to support the team through the end of 2025, with future funding referred to next year’s budget process.

The public service’s recommendation will be discussed at a meeting of the standing policy committee on property development on June 11.

- With files from CTV’s Charles Lefebvre