December 2023 - Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation

Significant Progress Made in Repairs and Renovations of Provincially-Owned Vacant Units

The Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) is highlighting significant progress on repairs and renovations to the 143 provincially-owned vacant units identified in a request for quotations in October 2023. As of December 8, 2023:

Work is complete on 62 of the 143 units identified in the request for quotations;
Repairs or renovations are underway on another 56 projects; and
Work is complete on units in the western region, with estimated completion of all units identified in the other regions expected by the end of the 2023-24 fiscal year.

A full breakdown of progress on these units to date can be found in the backgrounder below.

These 143 units are in addition to the standard repair and renovation process undertaken each year by the housing corporation, which is an ongoing part of its management of the province’s affordable housing units. When any NLHC unit or home becomes vacant, it requires repairs before new tenants can move in. In 2023-24, 298 units have been repaired and offered to tenants.

Work on these additional 143 units was supported by an investment of $3 million from the Provincial Government, increasing the NLHC’s overall repair and renovation budget to $6 million for 2023-24.

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 to meet the changing demands for housing. These include:

The Five-Point Plan to improve the availability of housing that is affordable, with actions valued at $65 million that are expected to add upwards of 500 new housing options to the market;
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; and
Continued implementation of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Benefit, which has expanded access to affordable housing in the private rental market to nearly 500 new households.

Quote
“With over 80 per cent of these additional renovations either complete or underway, we have shown our government’s commitment to moving forward rapidly on actions that will increase the availability of affordable housing in Newfoundland and Labrador. We will continue to work with our partners in the community and with other levels of government on shared solutions to address the changing housing needs being experienced nationally.”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation

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Photos showing pre- and post-renovation of one vacated NLHC unit repaired this year in St. John’s.

Learn more

Provincial Government Issues Request for Quotations for Repairs to Vacant Units

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

Provincial Government Announces Results of RFP for Affordable Rental Housing Program

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

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Media contact
Marc Budgell
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-727-5843
mtbudgell@nlhc.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Progress on Repairs and Renovations to 143 Provincially Owned Vacant Units as of December 8, 2023

Region	Vacancies at Start	Completed	In-Progress	Not Assigned	Estimated Completion
Eastern	85	34	44	7	January 31, 2024
Central	15	10	5	0	January 31, 2024
Western	12	12	0	0	Complete
Labrador	31	6	7	18	February 28, 2024
TOTAL	143	62	56	25

Public Advisory: Changes to Programming at Virginia Park Community Centre, Ministers Available to Media

On Friday, December 22, 2023, the Virginia Park Community Centre will temporarily close to allow staff from the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation and partners to complete an assessment of renovation needs at the facility.

On January 8, 2024, programs and services offered through the community centre will resume at alternate locations within the community, expanding on existing community partnerships. Changes in the new year include:

The community centre’s main offices will relocate to the Academy Canada building on Harding Road, which is located next door to the Virginia Park Community Centre;
Youth programs offered by the community centre will be offered at East Point Elementary on Middleton Street; and
Seniors programs offered by the community centre will be offered at St. Mark’s Anglican Church on Logy Bay Road.

The Honourable Paul Pike, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, the Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and MHA for Virginia Waters-Pleasantville, and Ron Ellsworth, Board Chair of the Virginia Park Community Centre, will be available to media to discuss the changes today (Monday, December 11) at the Virginia Park Community Centre, 51 Harding Road, St. John’s, at 10:00 a.m.

These changes will allow the Virginia Park Community Centre group to continue providing essential services to the community and will in some cases also facilitate improved accessibility for residents, while the assessment of necessary renovations is undertaken by the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.

Residents can continue to reach the community centre through email and by calling centre’s regular phone number (709-579-4534). The community centre remains dedicated to maintaining open lines of communication and is dedicated to addressing resident needs in a timely fashion.

The Virginia Park Community Centre was established in 1987, providing social, educational, recreational and career development programs and services for the residents of Virginia Park. The centre has built strong connections with community partners and contributed to a vibrant and supportive environment in the community.

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Media contact
Marc Budgell
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-727-5843
mtbudgell@nlhc.nl.ca