Couple transforms seedy rooming houses into 'Cozy Rooms'

A couple living in Winnipeg's Spence neighbourhood has transformed two dilapidated rooming houses across the street from their own home into new affordable housing for a dozen people.

Spence Street residents Travis and Stephanie Unger bought their own home on the street in 1999. For five years they observed shady goings-on at the houses across the street.

"There was a dealer on third floor and the front door was always open, and people were coming in and out, and there was fights on the front lawns.It was not a safe place to be," said Travis Unger.

The couple bought the houses in 2005 and began work on them, using volunteer and discounted labour and $320,000 from the Winnipeg Housing and Homelessness Initiative.

"We did move some tenants on, and then eventually, as we got the funding for the renovations, we gave everyone proper notice, and now it's going to be a beautiful place for 12 new people," he said.

The family unveiled the results 12 modern, self-contained units called Spence Cozy Rooms at a press conference Friday afternoon, with federal, provincial and municipal politicians.

The project required "an incredible amount of vision, flexibility and hard work," but it was all worthwhile, Unger said, addingit's his family's dream to live in and contribute to the improvement of the inner-city neighbourhood.

"I guess there's too many landlords that just buy a house and see it as an extra income. Really, to have a successful business, the right way to do it is to be on site or at least hire caretakers who are on site who are able to care and manage not only the building but the people, as well."

Tenants will begin moving in Nov. 1.