A leading Winnipeg urban planning expert wants to see government invest in low-barrier rental housing. She says problematic landlords taking advantage of vulnerable people is creating an unsafe environment for both the tenants and surrounding neighbourhoods.

“It creates danger for everyone living in the community,” said Shauna MacKinnon, department chair of Urban and Inner-City studies at the University of Winnipeg.

“We’re allowing it to happen because there is no other option. So really, I mean there’s no other solution, but for governments to get back in the business of providing housing for people in need.”

She says when bad landlords are allowed to operate, it has a ripple effect.

“It really does point to the problem, the bigger problem around public policy, we’ve created an environment that is allowing this type of behaviour to flourish.”

In an ongoing series, CityNews has reported Living Recovery Foundation of Winnipeg’s buildings has seen at least five alleged homicides in the last 12 months. City Councillor Cindy Gilroy wants to see the organization shut down, and for the province to step in, as many of the tenants pay rent through provincial Employment Income Assistance.

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