Today, Joanne Thompson, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Paul Pike, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), and Danny Breen, Mayor for the City of St. John’s announced $5 million in funding for St. John’s, one of the 41 recipients of the third round of the Rapid Housing Initiative’s (RHI) Phase 3 Cities Stream.
As part of its Investment Plan for the Cities Stream, the City of St. John’s awarded the funding to Stella’s Circle who will renovate a former office building into 15 new homes for women who are experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic abuse and/or may have had prior involvement with the criminal justice system.
The projects are comprised of:
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, through the NLHC, contributed $800,000 in funding towards this project.
This is made possible by the Government of Canada’s additional investment of $1.5 billion through RHI, bringing the program’s total to $4 billion to support the country’s most vulnerable. The additional funding for the third round of RHI 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 5,000 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 total number of units created with all three phases of the RHI is now over 15,500 across Canada.
Also included in today’s announcement, is a combined $6.1 million investment that will create a total of 20 new homes through the Rapid Housing Initiative Phase 2.
Six new affordable homes are complete and operational in St. John’s thanks to Stella’s Circle. Four of the homes are reserved for individuals receiving services connected to the Stella’s Circle Community Support Program (CSP), of which one home will be reserved for women. The other two homes will be reserved for women who are receiving counselling and support services through the Just Us Women’s Centre.
Funding provided for this project is as follows:
The Young Parents Resource Centre, completed, operational and fully occupied, is an upstream approach to target at-risk, young women (ages 16 to 29), pregnant young women and parenting young women and their children. This development used traditional construction to build the 14-unit complex (four one-bedroom units and 10 two-bedroom units). Six units are accessible and the project will achieve high energy efficiency targets. Program supports for tenants will be offered through the existing Momma Moments program, a strengths-based program at Choices for Youth that provides family first oriented supports. The program supports at-risk young pregnant and parenting mothers between the ages of 16-29.
Investments provided for this project are as follows:
Quotes
“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 St. John’s. We are working closely with our partners to create more affordable housing that meets the needs of Canadians.”
Honourable Sean Fraser
Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
“Funding renovation and retrofit projects like these ones are a great way to get the local economy moving, because it puts construction workers and tradespeople to work quickly. At the same time, we’re improving the quality of life for residents of St. John’s, keeping their homes safe and affordable.
Joanne Thompson
Member of Parliament for St. John’s East
“Access to a safe and affordable home is important to helping individuals and families build a stable and secure future. Today’s announcement highlights the strength of working together with our federal, municipal, and community partners to address diverse housing needs throughout the province and to build stronger and healthier communities.”
Honourable Paul Pike, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“The City of St. John’s is pleased to be administering this important fund. By working collaboratively, we are addressing an urgent need, creating 35 affordable homes quickly in our community.”
Danny Breen
Mayor for the City of St. John’s
-30-
Learn more
RHI3 and Eligibility Criteria
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
National Housing Strategy
Housing Funding Initiatives Map
Media contacts
Kevin Collins
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
kevin.collins@infc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
media@cmhc-schl.gc.ca
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-730-5886
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Quick facts
The following joint statement was issued on behalf of Social Development Minister Jill Green, who is also minister responsible for the New Brunswick Housing Corporation; Prince Edward Island Housing, Land and Communities Minister Rob Lantz; Nova Scotia Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister John Lohr; and Newfoundland and Labrador Children, Seniors and Social Development Minister Paul Pike, who is also minister responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation:
A meeting was held September 28 between the Atlantic ministers responsible for housing. The ministers discussed topics of mutual concern, such as access to housing, housing affordability and supporting vulnerable populations.
As a result of the meeting, the ministers agreed as follows:
Quotes
“I was thrilled to host my counterparts and discuss how we can work collaboratively to improve housing options in Atlantic Canada. We share many of the same interests when it comes to housing. The collaboration and sharing of experience and expertise from across Atlantic Canada was productive. I would like to thank Minister Rob Lantz of Prince Edward Island, Minister John Lohr of Nova Scotia, Minister Paul Pike from Newfoundland and Labrador, and their teams for travelling and being so generous with their time and ideas.”
Honourable Jill Green
Minister of Social Development and Minister responsible for the New Brunswick Housing Corporation
“The Atlantic region has a strong history of working together. This continues today and extends to strategizing on the issues of housing, affordability and supports to individuals experiencing homelessness. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador welcomes every opportunity to meet and collaborate with our other Atlantic colleagues to address the housing and homelessness needs in our region. Today’s meeting provided an opportunity to learn from each other and discuss best practices, innovative ideas, funding initiatives as well as identify opportunities to align and advance the priorities common across the Atlantic region.”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“We are always pleased to gather with our neighbours and discuss what needs to be done to improve things for Atlantic Canadians. Our problems are not unique to each province, but our solutions may be. We can make the biggest difference for the region by continuing to work together and thinking differently.”
Honourable Rob Lantz
Minister of Housing, Land and Communities, Prince Edward Island
“The Atlantic region faces unique challenges and opportunities that we need to leverage to effectively address the housing crisis we are all facing. We know we can achieve more when we work together, and we can make a real difference to those in housing need by developing innovative solutions together.”
Honourable John Lohr
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Nova Scotia
-30-
Media contact
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-730-5886
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
The Honourable Paul Pike, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), toured the new Safe Haven Emergency Shelter in St. John’s yesterday.
In partnership with the Anglican Church of the Good Samaritan, the Safe Haven Shelter will provide a 40-bed staffed emergency shelter and an additional warming centre to accommodate up to 30 people in the winter months. Both will specifically serve the male population.
The shelter will operate as an overnight shelter between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m., and will be managed across two large rooms with dedicated staff and security on site. Provincial funding of approximately $2 million is being provided through NLHC to operate the shelter.
Safe Haven was the successful proponent of a provincial Request for Proposals issued by NLHC on January 31, 2023, for low-barrier shelter services. The facility will accommodate an estimated 40 clients and operate from a harm reduction approach which serves individuals experiencing homelessness without judgement or preconditions of wellness or sobriety.
Individuals that are engaged in housing readiness and housing search services will be provided access to case managers and housing support staff during the day. The facility also has capacity and designated space to offer up to an additional 30-person warming centre, as may be needed, during the colder months.
This new shelter option will increase government’s ability to direct placements to a staffed shelter with appropriate supports and referrals.
Quotes
“The new Safe Haven Emergency Shelter, a low-barrier shelter for the St. John’s area, is a much welcomed addition to the community, and will complement existing services. The new facility will help address growing demands and further contribute to our collective efforts to support individuals to transition from shelter to more stable housing options. This response is a great example of strong partnerships between community and government, coming together with a shared focus and an overall goal of well-being and improving client outcomes.”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“Safe Haven Housing is excited to further our partnership with NLHC and the Good Samaritan Anglican Church. The opening of our male 40-bed emergency shelter and 30 bed warming center at 10 St Clare Ave will create an overnight model that will focus on harm reduction and supportive planning to move clients across the housing continuum. This opportunity will allow us to work with the most complex and marginalized clients in the community and provide a low-barrier space that can feel welcoming and safe.”
Ashley Bensaid
Executive Director, Safe Haven Shelter Services
“As we recognize the tremendous need for emergency shelter, The Anglican Church of the Good Samaritan is very pleased to partner with Safe Haven Housing to provide the second level of the church, which can house up to 40 homeless men and a 30-person warming centre. We believe that this is a wonderful use of our church building, and forwards the very purposes for which the Christian church exists.”
The Ven. Dr. Darrell Critch
Rector, Church of the Good Samaritan
Territorial Archdeacon, Eastern Canada
-30-
Learn more
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
Follow us on Twitter @GovNL, @CSSD_GovNL and @NLHousing
Like us on Facebook
Media contacts
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-730-5886
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Ashley Bensaid
Safe Haven Emergency Shelter
709-727-0043
bensaidhousing@gmail.com
The Ven. Dr. Darrell Critch
Rector, Church of the Good Samaritan
709-730-4641
As part of the heightened focus to improve access to affordable housing, the Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador visited Labrador West today, where he met with community leaders to discuss the many important housing initiatives underway in that region, along with the emergent housing needs.
Premier Furey was joined by the Honourable Paul Pike, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, and the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Labrador Affairs.
Budget 2023 includes the largest provincial housing investment in our history, with almost $140 million to provide Newfoundlanders and Labradorians access to safe and affordable housing. Over the last two years, more than 750 new housing options have been created or are underway throughout the province. Budget 2023 also announced a new, three-year, $70 million Affordable Rental Housing Program to build over 850 new rental homes, which was launched in June.
Through strong partnerships with federal and municipal governments and community partners, we remain committed to investing in housing initiatives in the Labrador West region. These include:
Quotes
“Our government is firmly committed to addressing housing needs in Labrador West and helping to ensure that everyone has a safe and affordable place to call home. These initiatives are a great example of our strong partnership with federal, municipal and community partners. Together, we will continue our important work of building strong and resilient communities here in Labrador West.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“A safe and affordable home is the cornerstone of social and economic growth and overall health and well-being. We look forward to continuing to work with our valued partners to create safe, affordable and inclusive communities in Labrador West, and to ensure supports for all residents, from young families to seniors. ”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“Housing initiatives contribute directly to achieving progress on socio-economic goals and we know investment in housing is a driver of economic growth and community development. Our government is committed to partnering with all stakeholders to help make real progress on housing challenges in Labrador West.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister for Labrador Affairs
-30-
Learn more
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
Follow us on Twitter @GovNL, @CSSD_GovNL and @NLHousing
Like us on Facebook
Media contacts
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-730-5886
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Allan Bock
Labrador Affairs
709-896-7935; 709-899-6446
allanbock@gov.nl.ca