Public Advisory: Emergency Shelter and Support Services Available for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness

Given the anticipated adverse weather conditions, the Provincial Government is advising individuals who are currently experiencing homelessness to call Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation’s emergency shelter line 1-833-724-2444 for assistance with temporary accommodations, while we continue our efforts to secure more permanent housing options.

Staff from the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation continue to work with community partners, including End Homelessness St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services’ Harm Reduction Team and Thrive. They continue to be on site at the tent encampment and are working to assist individuals to go to a shelter where they will have access to supports and services.

Safe Haven Shelter at 10 St. Clare Avenue also serves as a warming centre in times of inclement weather. In addition, services at The Gathering Place continue to be available at this time.

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Media contact
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca

Minister Pike Recognizes National Housing Day

The Honourable Paul Pike, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, is recognizing today (November 22) as National Housing Day.

Access to safe and affordable housing is an important factor in an individual’s overall health and well-being, which is why the Provincial Government continues to make strategic investments and to advance community partnerships to meet the changing demands for housing.

In October, the Provincial Government announced a Five-Point Plan designed to increase the supply of housing that is affordable in Newfoundland and Labrador by helping stimulate private sector development and stabilize or reduce housing prices. Through these targeted actions, valued at more than $65 million, it is expected that upwards of 500 new housing options will be added to the market.

Actions from this plan are already underway. In November, government released an inventory of vacant provincial land in the St. John’s metro region that can be made available for the development of purpose-built rental housing that is affordable. That same month, a new First-time Homebuyers Program was launched to support transition to homeownership.

Additional actions taken to address the need for housing include:

  • A provincial investment of over $80 million in the Affordable Rental Housing Program, which will support 91 private and community sector projects that will result in the construction of more than 900 new affordable rental homes;
  • Continued work to support future construction of a new $30 million integrated health, housing, and supportive services hub in Happy Valley-Goose Bay;
  • Issued a request for quotations for repairs and renovations to 143 provincially-owned vacant units, supported by an investment of close to $6 million;
  • Expanded non-profit staffed shelters to support those experiencing homelessness, including ongoing funding of $2 million for the 40-bed staffed Safe Haven Shelter;
  • Continued implementation of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Benefit, which has expanded access to affordable housing in the private rental market to over 420 new households; and
  • Announced, advanced or completed affordable housing projects in Pleasantville, Gander, Labrador West, and Happy Valley-Goose Bay among others.

These collective actions reinforces the Provincial Government’s commitment to improving access to affordable housing for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Quote
“We recognize the importance of safe and affordable housing for the well-being of individuals and families. We are taking meaningful actions to address the changing housing needs being experienced nationally. Strong partnerships with our federal, municipal and Indigenous governments, along with community and private sector partners will remain important as we work together to deliver innovative housing solutions that allow individuals and families to live, work and thrive in the communities they call home.”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development

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Learn more

Provincial Government Launches Five-Point Plan to Improve Availability of Housing That is Affordable

Proposals Invited for Development of Land for Rental Housing That is Affordable

Provincial Government Announces Results of RFP for Affordable Rental Housing Program

Provincial Government Issues Request for Quotations for Repairs to Vacant Units

Minister Pike Highlights New Safe Haven Emergency Shelter

Update on Development of Key Housing Infrastructure Projects in Pleasantville and Happy Valley-Goose Bay

First-time Homebuyers Program (FHP) – 2023

Happy Valley-Goose Bay Integrated Health, Housing and Supportive Services Hub

Follow us on X @GovNL@CSSD_GovNL and @nlhousing

Like us on Facebook

Media contact
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca

 

Provincial Government Announces Results of RFP for Affordable Rental Housing Program

The Honourable Paul Pike, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation and Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, today announced a provincial investment of over $80 million to support 91 private and community housing sector projects that will see the construction of approximately 900 new affordable rental housing homes throughout the province.

Joining Minister Pike at the announcement was Alexis Foster, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Home Builders Association-Newfoundland and Labrador, and Kelly Heisz, Executive Director of SeniorsNL.

Announced in Budget 2023, the Affordable Rental Housing Program provides one-time capital funding in the form of a forgivable loan to assist in the creation of affordable rental homes. The program is being delivered through the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation and will focus on supporting seniors, as well as other vulnerable populations including young adults, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, newcomers, women and children fleeing violence and people experiencing homelessness. Accessibility and energy efficiency are also key design elements of the program.

Successful proponents will own and manage their projects and rent to lower income households at or below rates established by the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. These rates will be based on annual rental market reports published by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. In addition to the creation of more than 900 affordable rental homes, selected projects propose the creation of over 240 market rental homes which will further support the longer-term sustainability of the housing developments.

This investment also presents significant opportunities to contribute to provincial economic activity through the engagement of contractors, building supply businesses and the related economic spin-offs.

Access to safe and affordable housing is an important social determinant of health. Last month the Provincial Government unveiled a five-point plan designed to increase the availability of housing that is affordable in Newfoundland and Labrador, and last week released an inventory of vacant provincial land in the St. John’s metro region that can be made available for the development of purpose-built rental housing that is affordable.

A list of the approved projects can be found in the backgrounder below.

Quotes
“We continue to take concrete action to increase the supply of affordable housing throughout the province. Today’s announcement builds on our government’s recent five-point plan and is a great example of how we can work together with our private and community partners to provide affordable housing for individuals and families to live, work and thrive in the communities they call home.”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation and
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development

“Access to affordable housing is vital to the health and well-being of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The participation, by both private and community sector entities, underscores the importance of this initiative. The creation of these new affordable homes will help address the housing supply shortage in our province and provide individuals with more availability and choice to meet their housing needs.”
Alexis Foster
Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Home Builders Association-Newfoundland and Labrador

“Inquiries to our organization from seniors looking for affordable housing are at an all-time high. Rents are high, vacancies are low, and the cost of living continues to rise. Increasing the affordable housing stock in this province is welcome news and will certainly help seniors living on low income who need it the most.”
Kelly Heisz
Executive Director, SeniorsNL

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Learn more
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation

Follow us on X @GovNL@CSSD_GovNL and @nlhousing

Like us on Facebook

Media contacts
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca

Alexis Foster
Canadian Home Builders’ Association – NL
709-753-2000
ceo@chbanl.ca

Kelly Heisz
SeniorsNL
709-737-5904
info@seniorsnl.ca


BACKGROUNDER

Private and Non-Profit Sector Housing Projects Selected through the Affordable Rental Housing Program Request for Proposals

Private Sector Affordable Housing Projects

Proponent

Units

Location

10503 NFLD Limited

6

Kippens
15292484 Canada Limited

10

Bay Roberts
76202 Newfoundland & Labrador Inc.

10

Eastport
76202 Newfoundland & Labrador Inc.

10

Glovertown
81485 NL Ltd

6

Irishtown – Summerside
81485 NL Ltd

6

Corner Brook
85577 NL Inc.

14

Botwood
85862 NL Corp

10

Shoe Cove, Pouch Cove, Flatrock
92971 Newfoundland & Labrador Corp.

10

Fortune
93370 Newfoundland & Labrador Inc.

5

St. John’s
After You Cleaners Ltd

5

Springdale
Angel Housing

13

CBS
Ashley Pomeroy’s Rentals

10

Stephenville
Avalon Interiors Corp

15

Carbonear
Bensaid Services Ltd

15

St. John’s
Best View Estates

10

Bay Bulls
BP Property Management

4

Marystown
Burt Brothers Limited

4

King’s Point
Central Erectors Inc.

10

Grand Falls-Windsor
Colin & Frances Power c/o CPP Holding’s Inc

5

Grand Falls-Windsor
Cooney Holdings Ltd.

6

Appleton
CRG Properties Limited

4

Cupids
Curtis Porter

6

Kelligrews
Cusick’s Contracting Inc.

8

St. Lawrence
D.S. Building Contractor Ltd

10

Botwood
David & Kim Dawe

6

North River
Deborah Reid & Donald Miller

4

Pouch Cove
Dober’s Enterprises

4

Marystown
Donold Gordon

8

Deer Lake
Dwayne Sturge

6

Portugal Cove-St. Philips
E&S Management Inc.

10

Harbour Grace
Eastern Tree Service INC

10

Burin
EJB Contracting

10

Robert’s Arm
Elite Holdings Ltd.

5

Holyrood
Exploits 2000 Inc.

10

Bishop’s Falls
Family Homes Construction Ltd.

10

Bonavista
Family Homes Construction Ltd.

10

Bell Island
Family Homes Construction Ltd.

10

Portugal Cove/St. Phillips
Family Homes Construction Ltd.

10

Kilbride/St. John’s
Gary Callahan Holdings Limited

11

Happy Valley Goose Bay
Gateway Apartments Ltd.

14

Dunville
Godsons Manor – 76493 NL & Labrador Corp

10

Holyrood
Golden Road Housing Inc.

15

Kelligrews, CBS
Grand Fairways Resort Inc.

10

Burin
IDAM Holdings Ltd

10

Bay Roberts
J. T. Swyers Co. Ltd.

15

Bonavista
Jacob Power

5

Tors Cove
Jade Holdings Ltd

6

Deer Lake
JDR Construction Ltd.

10

Clarkes Beach
Joyce & Gerald O’Reilly

6

Dunville, Placentia
Kieffer Contracting & Moosehead Lounge Ltd.

15

Glenwood
Klondyke Property Investments Limited

15

Bay Roberts
L.I.D Homes Limited

6

Clarke’s Beach
M&M Equipment Limited

5

Deer Lake
Matthew Lawlor

12

Mobile NL – Route 10 Highway
MED Realty Enterprises Ltd

4

Carbonear
ML Contracting

8

Bay Roberts
ML Contracting

8

Avondale
ML Contracting

8

Colliers
ML Contracting

8

Holyrood
Moosey Meadows Estates Ltd

10

Holyrood
Morey’s Apartments

4

Port Anson
Nidus Development Inc.

20

St. John’s
Pennell Developments Ltd

13

Pouch Cove
Philip & Dianne Chaytor

4

Clarkes Beach
Pomeroy Enterprises

5

Stephenville
RHS Investments Ltd.

10

Baie Verte
RHS Investments Ltd.

6

Deer Lake, Airport Avenue
Rod & Wendy Greeley

10

CBS
Rogers Rentals

10

Marystown
RTO Capital Inc.

10

North River, CBN
RTO Capital Inc.

10

Paradise
S.P. Trucking Ltd.

5

Harbour Grace
Sein Construction Inc.

17

Shoal Harbour
Shoal Investments Limited

20

Clarenville
Stephen Green Holdings INC.

10

Carbonear
Stonemount Enterprises Ltd.

20

St. John’s
Talamh an Eisc Construction

10

Bonavista
The Porte Village Limited

20

Lewisporte
Tri-Sun Realty Limited

8

Stephenville
Tucker Group Inc.

20

Portugal Cove/St. Phillips
Twenty-Three Five Holdings Inc

10

St. John’s, Mount Pearl, Paradise
Twillingate Realty Inc.

10

Twillingate
Vista Place 2005 Ltd.

4

Springdale
Sub-total                                                      792
 
Community Sector Affordable Housing Projects
Charwood Legion Manors Inc.

6

Carbonear
Columbus Centre Inc.

20

Mount Pearl
Connections for Seniors

60

St. John’s
Happy Valley Goose Bay Housing and Homelessness Coalition

4

Happy Valley Goose Bay
Muslim Association of Newfoundland and Labrador

20

St. John’s
Port Saunders Development Committee, Inc.

10

Port Saunders
The Robert’s Arm Senior Citizen’s Home

10

Robert’s Arm
Sub-total                                                       130
Total                                                              922

Update on Development of Key Housing Infrastructure Projects in Pleasantville and Happy Valley-Goose

The Provincial Government, through the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), is steadily moving forward with the development process for key infrastructure projects that will increase access to affordable housing and provide support for those experiencing homelessness.

The NLHC has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a prime consultant to oversee the design and construction of a 40-unit affordable, residential apartment complex for low-income households in Pleasantville. Located on the corner of Charter Avenue and St. John’s Place, the 40-unit building will include one and two-bedroom units at an estimated cost of over $13 million. Plans for NLHC’s new residential complex will also include retail and supportive services space on the ground floor to better serve residents. The facility’s design will focus on seniors and persons with disabilities, exceeding local accessibility standards and including Universal Design features throughout the property. Energy efficiency will also be a key element of the building design.

The request for proposals can be accessed by visiting www.merx.com/govnl (Reference Number 0000258998).

The NLHC recently appointed Woodford Architecture as the prime consultant to oversee the design and construction of the new integrated health, housing, and supportive services hub in Happy Valley-Goose Bay at an estimated cost of over $30 million. The new hub will include 30 emergency shelter beds, 20 transitional beds and 20 self-contained supportive housing units, along with access to integrated supports, treatment and services for individuals experiencing homelessness. 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 Happy Valley-Goose Bay Hub, visit hvgbhub.ca.

Access to safe housing is an important social determinant of health. Last month the Provincial Government unveiled a five-point plan designed to increase the availability of housing that is affordable in Newfoundland and Labrador, and this week released an inventory of vacant provincial land in the St. John’s metro region that can be made available for the development of purpose-built rental housing that is affordable.

Quotes
“We are excited to be moving forward with these two important development projects. The 40-unit complex in Pleasantville will provide a safe, affordable and appropriate place to call home for seniors and persons with disabilities in the St. John’s area, while the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Hub will provide critical housing, treatment and wrap-around supports to individuals experiencing homelessness in the area.”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation

“The design of a new integrated health, housing, and supportive services hub in Happy Valley-Goose Bay will integrate critical services into the new facility, such as income support, housing search services, health services and mental health and addictions supports. The Provincial Government is bringing services to meet people where they are so that we can address barriers faced by those experiencing homelessness and intergenerational trauma.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Labrador Affairs and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation

“I am very pleased to see progress being made with the 40-Unit Affordable Housing Complex in St. John’s. Providing access to supports to maintain housing stability are fundamental to the social, financial and physical well-being of all individuals, families and our communities. It is essential that our focus remain on helping Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have safe, adequate and affordable places to call home.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Environment and Climate Change and MHA for Virginia Waters-Pleasantville

“I am pleased this next phase of the much needed integrated health, housing and supportive services Hub in Happy Valley-Goose Bay is now underway. This project is based on three years of technical design by front-line organizations working in Lake Melville and across the province. The upcoming public consultation will be important for explaining these design solutions and enhancing community partnerships.”
Perry Trimper
MHA for Lake Melville

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Learn more
Provincial Government Launches Five-Point Plan to Improve Availability of Housing that is Affordable

Proposals Invited for Development of Land for Rental Housing That is Affordable

Well-Being NL