As part of the Provincial Government’s continued efforts to increase the availability of affordable housing in Newfoundland and Labrador, applications opened today for the Secondary and Basement Suite Incentive pilot program.
In October 2023, this initiative was announced as one of the pillars of the Five-Point Plan to help make housing more affordable for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians by supporting the creation of more housing. This program will allow homeowners to access a forgivable loan of 50 per cent of the cost of renovations, up to a maximum of $40,000, to create a new, self-contained secondary or basement suite within their home.
These loans will be fully forgivable, provided the new unit is rented out below market rates for a minimum of five years. The rental rates will be established by the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), based on annual rental market reports published by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
Criteria to qualify for the incentive include:
A full list of program criteria, as well as information on how to apply, can be found on the NLHC website here. A full list of eligible costs under the program can be found in the backgrounder below.
Total funding for the program is $4 million and eligible applicants will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis until all funding is allocated.
Quotes
“Our government continues to invest in creative solutions to increase access to both housing that is affordable and provincially owned social housing in our province. This incentive will support homeowners to create upwards of 100 new basement apartments or secondary suites, helping families find an affordable place to live within existing communities and near existing services. We will continue to advance initiatives under the five-point plan to help meet demand for affordable housing throughout the province.”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“The Canadian Home Builders’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador is optimistic that this program will not only provide more rental options for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, but also create opportunities for our members to complete projects integral to increasing the housing supply in our province.”
Alexis Foster
Executive Officer
Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Newfoundland and Labrador
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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
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Media contact
Marc Budgell
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-727-5843
mtbudgell@nlhc.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
List of Eligible Costs Covered Under the Secondary and Basement Suite Incentive Program
The following list includes costs that can be covered under the Secondary and Basement Suite Incentive Program:
Eligible costs:
Costs that are not eligible include:
Any cost not covered by either list must be approved by NLHC prior to work commencing. For more information, visit Secondary Basement Suite Incentive Program FAQ.
With anticipated cold weather conditions, the Provincial Government is advising individuals experiencing homelessness to contact Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation’s emergency shelter line at 1-833-724-2444 for assistance with temporary accommodations.
Safe Haven Shelter at 10 St. Clare Avenue in St. John’s serves as a warming centre in times of inclement weather. The emergency shelter line will identify other options for those calling from outside the St. John’s metro region.
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Media contact
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
The Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) is highlighting continued progress on repairs and renovations to the 143 provincially owned vacant units identified in a request for quotations in October 2023.
As of January 12, 2024:
In the Eastern Region, of the 85 vacancies in October, work is complete on 52, work is in progress on 29 units and four have not been assigned.
In the Central Region, 11 of the 15 vacancies are now completed and four are in progress.
In the Western Region, all 12 vacancies have been completed.
Of the 31 vacancies in Labrador, six are completed, 15 are in progress and 10 not yet assigned.
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. So far in 2023-24, 349 units have been repaired and offered to tenants.
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Media contact
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
The development of a tailored framework for an Atlantic Innovation Initiative designed to develop solutions for the rapid expansion of housing supply for the Atlantic provinces was the focus of discussions today in Halifax between and the Atlantic Provincial housing ministers and The Honourable Sean Fraser, Federal Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities.
Both the Federal and Atlantic Ministers acknowledged the momentum from recent achievements and progress already made and agreed that continued collaboration between both levels of government is needed to address the challenges facing the housing sector.
Incentivizing factory built construction
Central to discussions on incentivizing the construction of factory-built homes were methods to source innovative building materials. The Ministers agreed to identify options, including non-regulatory approaches, to improve alignment of construction practices, particularly for modular and mass timber construction methods, across Atlantic Canada.
Establishing an Atlantic Canada chapter in the housing catalogue
Acknowledging the significant interest in the Federal Government’s recently announced housing design catalogue initiative, Atlantic Ministers discussed the opportunity to collaborate with the Federal Government to include regional specific options within the catalogue of pre-approved home designs. This would include the development of modular housing, a sector in which the Atlantic provinces are poised to lead.
Flexibility that recognizes the unique needs of the Atlantic region
Highlighted throughout discussions was the significant change of the housing landscape in the Atlantic Provinces over the last five years. Rapid population growth, both in large urban cities and in rural areas, as well as the effects of high interest rates, inflation and labour shortages have contributed to difficulties finding affordable and available homes in the region. Ministers were united in recognizing that there is no “one size fits all” solution for addressing these issues, and that flexibility and dedicated funding is required to deliver housing solutions that respond to local needs.
The Atlantic Provinces and the Federal Government are committed to increasing regional collaboration and working together to develop innovative construction methods, increase productivity, and create sustainability and affordability throughout Atlantic Canada’s housing sector.
Quotes
“Newfoundland and Labrador was encouraged by today’s meeting with our Atlantic and federal colleagues that focused on advancing a regional approach to drive innovation and productivity to accelerate housing supply. Strong partnerships that leverage our collective expertise and resources are crucial to addressing the diverse and growing housing needs in communities throughout our province and the Atlantic region.”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“The challenges faced by the Atlantic Provinces require a ‘made in the Atlantic’ solution. Today’s discussions reiterated our government’s commitment to work collaboratively with our provincial partners to address the complex issues that impact housing supply and affordability in Atlantic Canada. The Federal Government will continue to use every lever at its disposal to accelerate future developments, tap into new and innovative construction methods, and create affordable and accessible housing in communities across the Atlantic provinces.”
Honourable Sean Fraser
Federal Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
“I am encouraged by the clear demonstration today of the shared commitment to do things differently, faster, and more collaboratively, for the benefit of all our citizens. Our predominantly rural population will require unique solutions. We will continue to work with our federal partner to provide these and future initiatives in support of our growing economy and population in Nova Scotia.”
Honourable John Lohr
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Nova Scotia
“Today’s meeting, like anytime I gather with my Atlantic housing counterparts, was productive and heartening. We are all in agreement that the need for safe, secure, and comfortable housing is crucial in our region. I am confident that with the federal, provincial, and municipal governments in Atlantic Canada all focused on addressing the need we will see successes in our jurisdictions.”
Honourable Jill Green
Minister Responsible for the New Brunswick Housing Corporation
“The government of Prince Edward Island appreciates the opportunity to continue discussions with our Atlantic colleagues on how we can increase our housing supply and address the affordability and accessibility issues Atlantic Canadians are facing. Building a stronger housing sector that meets the diverse and growing needs of our population takes long-term, coordinated commitment from all levels of government. We need to build on our successes, remove barriers to development, and find innovative solutions that can make a real change for our communities.”
Honourable Rob Lantz
Minister of Housing, Land and Communities, Prince Edward Island
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Contacts
For more information (media only), please contact:
Micaal Ahmed
Communications Manager
Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
343-598-3920
micaal.ahmed@infc.gc.ca
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Krista Higdon
Communications Advisor
N.S. Municipal Affairs and Housing
902-220-6619
krista.higdon@novascotia.ca
Rebecca Howland
Communications
New Brunswick Housing Corporation,
rebecca.howland@gnb.ca
April Gallant (she/her)
Senior Communications Officer
Departments Housing, Land & Communities
aldgallant@gov.pe.ca
902-314-2753
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