The Provincial Government, via the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, is today releasing a Request for Proposals to retain a prime consultant to oversee the design and construction of a new integrated health, housing, and supportive services hub in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The new hub will provide emergency shelter, transitional and supportive housing in a safe and culturally appropriate environment where individuals experiencing homelessness have access to necessary supports.
The preliminary design for the new facility includes:
The proposed location for the new integrated hub is 264 Hamilton River Road, site of former tree nursery. This is a large section of Crown land that is close to important services and can accommodate the building’s footprint.
The preliminary design for the new hub was developed in partnership with members of the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Action Team, comprised of representatives from Federal, Provincial and Indigenous Governments and Organizations, and community partners in the housing and homelessness sector and mental health and addictions services in the region. The collaborative work over the past two years draws on expertise in this area which acknowledges the importance of bringing health, housing, and other supportive services together to meet people where they are, improve access to these supports, and provide individualized and client-centered supports to individuals experiencing homelessness. The current emergency shelter and overflow shelter response will transition to the new integrated hub with appropriate staff and access to programming.
Consultation sessions with community stakeholders were held in Happy Valley – Goose Bay in spring and summer of 2022. The objective of these sessions was to identify gaps in services, partnership opportunities, design considerations for the building plan and program offerings. Public information sessions were held in November 2022 and provided an important opportunity to share the preliminary concept, design and proposed site location with the community. This next phase of the project will advance detailed design and site considerations, as well as provide ongoing opportunities for public consultation. To learn more about the proposed new hub, visit hvgbhub.ca.
The request for proposals can be accessed by visiting Merx.com (Reference Number 0000251961).
Quotes
“Providing vulnerable persons with safe, secure housing with supports is a ‘Housing First’ best practice and a proven approach to addressing homelessness. We look forward to advancing the detailed design of the new integrated hub in consultation with our partners and the community.”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“This initiative is a direct response to addressing chronic homelessness in the Happy Valley-Goose Bay area. The new integrated hub is intended to provide a more appropriate and staffed emergency shelter response for the area, address current gaps and bring together housing options, along with health and other wrap-around services to provide holistic, culturally appropriate and client-centered supports.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Labrador Affairs and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
“As a government we remain committed to working together with community partners, Labrador-Grenfell Health Zone, Indigenous Governments and Organizations and the RCMP to identify short-term responses and long-term plans to meet the needs of all residents of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. This new hub builds on the recommendations of frontline expertise to support people in need and will contribute to the ultimate goal of a safer, more inclusive community.”
Perry Trimper
MHA, Lake Melville
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Media contacts
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Allan Bock
Labrador Affairs
709-896-7935
allanbock@gov.nl.ca
The Honourable Paul Pike, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, and Yvonne Jones, Member of Parliament for Labrador, on behalf of the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, today announced the official opening of four new affordable homes on 30 Mesher Street in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Minister Pike and MP Jones were joined at the announcement by Perry Trimper, MHA for Lake Melville.
Total funding for the new development is approximately $787,000 in equally cost-shared federal and provincial funding, through the Canada-Newfoundland Labrador Bilateral Housing Agreement under the National Housing Strategy.
Built by Churchill Construction Ltd., the four-unit building includes two fully wheelchair-accessible, one-bedroom units on the main level and two one-bedroom units on the second level. The main floor units include roll-in showers, wheelchair accessible kitchens and ‘no step’ entrances.
Universal Design features are incorporated throughout the property and include items such as widened exterior and interior doors and hallways, and lever-type door handles and faucets. Energy efficiency and sustainability are also key elements in the design and construction of the building.
Quotes
“Today’s announcement is a great example of how we can work together with our federal and municipal partners to expand the supply of safe, stable and affordable housing here in our province. Access to such housing is a key social determinant of health, and promotes social and economic inclusivity.”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. By working closely with partners, we are creating four units of affordable housing for those who need it most throughout Labrador. Today’s announcement is a step forward in our ongoing efforts to deliver meaningful results and increased affordability for Canadians. This is just one of the many ways our government’s National Housing Strategy is ensuring no one is left behind.”
Honourable Ahmed Hussen
Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
“Access to housing is a human right and is essential to one’s sense of dignity, safety and inclusion. This project is yet another example of what can be achieved when all orders of government work together. Through this collaboration with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Federal Government is taking concrete steps to help ensure that the most vulnerable people living in Labrador have safe and affordable housing that allows them to thrive.”
Yvonne Jones
Member of Parliament for Labrador
“I am pleased to see that the new four-unit building on Mesher Street has been completed and is ready for occupancy. Congratulations to the Federal Government and the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation for advancing this project under the National Housing Strategy, and to Churchill Construction for its construction skills and expertise.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Labrador Affairs
Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
“The completion of this important project now represents the start of new lives for the four families that will occupy these units. I am excited for the new tenants and want to recognize the financial contribution of the Provincial and Federal Governments, and the quality work by Churchill Construction Ltd.”
Perry Trimper
MHA for Lake Melville
-30-
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Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
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Media contacts
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Allan Bock
Labrador Affairs
709-896-7935
allanbock@gov.nl.ca
Shiraz Keushgerian
Office of the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
shiraz.keushgerian@infc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
media@cmhc.ca
Today, the Honourable Paul Pike, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, and Yvonne Jones, Member of Parliament for Labrador, on behalf of the Honourable Amhed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, His Worship George Andrews, Mayor of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and Perry Trimper, MHA for Lake Melville, announced $5 million in funding for Happy Valley-Goose Bay, one of the 41 recipients of the third round of the Rapid Housing Initiative’s city stream.
As part of its investment plan for the Cities Stream, the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay has partnered with Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) for the construction of 16 new affordable housing units. These units will be owned and operated by NLHC. Clients will come from NLHC’s existing prioritized waitlist, and rents will be geared-to-income at 25 per cent of net income. NLHC will provide funding for the on-going operations, as well as annual heating subsidies to tenants.
This is made possible by the Government of Canada’s additional investment of $1.5 billion through the Rapid Housing Initiative, bringing the program’s total to $4 billion to support the country’s most vulnerable. The additional funding for the third round of the initiative will be divided into two streams: $1 billion through the Projects Stream and $500 million towards the Cities Stream. This investment is expected to create at least 4,500 more affordable housing units for Canadians in severe housing need across the country, with 25 per cent of investments going towards women-focused housing projects.
The Rapid Housing Initiative takes a human rights-based approach to housing, serving people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and other vulnerable people under the National Housing Strategy, including women and children fleeing domestic violence, seniors, young adults, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, people experiencing mental health and addiction issues, veterans, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, racialized groups and recent immigrants or refugees.
Quotes
“Today’s announcement truly highlights the strength of partnerships. By working collaboratively with our federal and municipal partners, we are increasing access to safe and affordable homes and helping individuals and families build a stable and secure future.”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Through the Rapid Housing Initiative, we are quickly providing new affordable housing units for people who need them most, right across Canada, including right here in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. By working closely with our partners to create more affordable housing that meets the needs of Canadians, the government is continuing to deliver meaningful results across the country. This is one of the many ways our National Housing Strategy continues to ensure no one is left behind.”
Honourable Ahmed Hussen
Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
“The Government is investing in affordable housing here in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and across Canada to help create jobs and improve the quality of life for those who need it most. Thanks to the combined efforts of our partners, we are able to give a helping hand to individuals in need, and in doing so, we are contributing to the economic and social well-being of the entire community.”
Yvonne Jones
Member of Parliament for Labrador
“We are extremely pleased to be bringing 16 new affordable housing units to our community. This will go a long way to help address affordable housing concerns in our community.”
His Worship George Andrews
Mayor of Happy Valley-Goose Bay
“I commend the Federal Government and its partnership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation and the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay for the construction of new affordable housing units in the community. The units will help address the needs experienced by individuals who need a place that they can call their own.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Labrador Affairs
Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
“The housing needs in Happy Valley-Goose Bay are complex, and have been quite prevalent – requiring substantial investment to address, such as with the scale of this Rapid Housing Initiative. I am pleased to see the community recognized in this national program and compliment all those involved in this successful proposal.”
Perry Trimper
MHA for Lake Melville
-30-
Learn more
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Follow us on Twitter @GovNL, @CSSD_GovNL and @NLHousing
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Media contacts
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Allan Bock
Labrador Affairs
709-896-7935
allanbock@gov.nl.ca
Shiraz Keushgerian
Office of the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
shiraz.keushgerian@infc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
media@cmhc.ca