Transitional housing in Brandon will focus on men leaving incarceration and homelessness

The John Howard Society of Brandon will open a 24-unit transitional housing building to help men released from corrections or experiencing homelessness move toward stable housing, with placements routed through the city's co‑ordinated access system and an expected intake in late February.

A Brandon non-profit is preparing to open 24 transitional housing units aimed at helping men leaving incarceration or those without homes move toward permanent housing. The John Howard Society of Brandon will operate an $11-million, three-storey facility on 16th Street N. Placements will be made through Brandon's co-ordinated access system rather than by direct application. The society expects to begin accepting residents in late February. Key details: - The facility will serve three groups: men released from the Brandon Correctional Centre, people who require a Corrections Canada halfway house, and men transitioning out of homelessness. - The building contains 16 second-floor units with private bedrooms and washrooms and shared showers for stays of about three to four months, plus eight third-floor units with kitchens and private showers designed for longer stays of a year or more. - It is a 24-hour operation staffed by about 20 to 25 people, including a director, case managers and support workers working rotating shifts. - The project cost is reported at $11 million, funded by all levels of government along with community partnerships and local fundraising. - Placements will come through the city's co-ordinated access network; a questionnaire launching in February will help triage referrals and prioritize those most at risk. - Cultural programming and partnerships, including work with the Brandon Friendship Centre, are planned; local data show chronic homelessness rose nearly 20 percent in 2025 and Indigenous men and people leaving corrections are disproportionately represented. Summary: The housing aims to support residents in moving to independent rental housing by providing case management, connections to community resources and cultural programming. Hiring and staff training are underway with training planned for February and an expected resident intake in late February. The program's stated measures of success include residents moving into stable housing, finding employment and reconnecting with the community.