A father in Brandon expressed the challenges his growing family faces in finding a suitable and reasonably priced home in the largest city in southwestern Manitoba. Phillip Emmerson, along with his wife and four children, including one-year-old Chloe, are currently residing in a two-bedroom apartment in downtown Brandon. Despite getting married in August 2025, the couple has been searching for a housing solution that meets their requirements well before their wedding.
Emmerson, who has cerebral palsy, emphasized the need for a wheelchair-accessible residence. Although he has support available to assist in making the necessary modifications for accessibility, these changes have not materialized yet. Brandon is experiencing a significant housing shortage, with Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities Canada indicating that the city, with a population of 54,000, is approximately 1,300 units short of meeting current demands and has a vacancy rate of 1.9 percent.
According to Brandon’s Homeless Individuals and Families Information System, families in the city are increasingly at risk of homelessness. The system reported a roughly 10 percent rise in the number of Brandon families experiencing homelessness from January to August this year compared to the same period in 2025. Emmerson, who works as an education assistant while his wife is on maternity leave, mentioned that they do not qualify for government assistance programs like Manitoba Housing due to their income level.
Despite applying to new properties in Brandon, Emmerson stated that his family has been unsuccessful in securing housing as they do not receive callbacks before the units are filled. Family units are currently in high demand in Brandon, as highlighted by Shawn Wood, the executive director of the Construction Association of Rural Manitoba. Developers and the city are racing to address this demand by increasing housing capacity.
Brandon experienced a population growth of around 5,000 residents between 2001 and 2021 but saw only about 700 new homes constructed during that period. Wood noted a surge in immigration and residents choosing to stay in Brandon, leading to an unexpected increase in population. However, the construction industry is facing challenges in catching up with the demand due to labor shortages and rising construction costs.
While efforts are being made to increase housing capacity in Brandon, the city is committed to supporting this initiative. Shannon Saltarelli, the community housing and wellness co-ordinator, emphasized the importance of addressing housing needs across various segments of the community, including those who are homeless, in need of affordable housing, senior rentals, and first-time buyers. The city has secured $6.2 million in accelerator funds to meet housing targets and is actively engaging with the community to identify housing gaps.
Emmerson and his family continue their search for a suitable home in Brandon, hoping for increased collaboration between various levels of government to facilitate the construction of affordable homes for families like theirs. Rental units available online in Brandon typically range from just over $1,500 to over $2,000 per month for three- to four-bedroom units, posing financial challenges for many families. Emmerson stressed the importance of having adequate space for children to play and a comfortable living environment for the entire family.
