The Provincial Government today released
Standards for Serving People Experiencing Homelessness in Shelters Throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Developed by OrgCode Consulting following extensive and in-depth consultations with individuals, organizations and community partners, these standards will apply to all emergency shelters that receive Provincial Government funding.
Adoption of these standards will ensure the delivery of consistent, evidence-informed and compassionate service while enhancing accountability for shelter guests, operators and government. The vision is to create a system where homelessness in the province is rare, brief and non-recurring.
The standards emphasize three key aspects for providing shelter:
The Honourable Fred Hutton, Minister of Housing, is available to media today at 10:30 a.m. in the lobby of West Block, Confederation Building, to discuss the shelter standards. Minister Hutton will be joined by Tracy Flaherty-Willmott, Associate Director of OrgCode Consulting, and Doug Pawson, Executive Director of End Homelessness St. John’s.
The standards cover a wide range of shelter operations and requirements, including:
In developing these standards, OrgCode Consulting engaged with individuals with lived or living experience with homelessness, shelter staff (non-profit and private operators), as well as a steering committee comprised of community sector partners, Indigenous partners, staff with End Homelessness St. John’s and the Community Advisory Board. OrgCode also consulted with the City of St. John’s Planning, Engineering and Regulatory Services Department, NL Health Services and staff with NL Housing. The resulting standards reflects these consultations and industry best-practices.
With the release of these standards, the Provincial Government will re-engage with the project steering committee to guide implementation of these standards. At the same time, government will work with all current shelter operators to assess potential barriers to implementation and potential solutions to ensure compliance. The standards will also be used to bolster government’s current inspection process.
Quotes
“The implementation of these standards will improve the culture of safety and service in our shelters while emphasizing a housing-focus approach, so that the system can operate as intended – providing emergency shelter while increasing connections to more sustainable long-term housing.”
Honourable Fred Hutton
Minister of Housing
“Leaning into evidence informed practices, local realities and the voice of lived/living experience, these standards promote low-barrier, housing-focused and trauma-informed approaches. The consistent implementation of these standards will assist shelters in enhancing homelessness resolution activities while meeting the basic needs of households served in emergency shelters throughout the province.”
Tracy Flaherty-Willmott
Associate Director, OrgCode Consulting
“The development and implementation of shelter standards mark an important shift in the transformation of the shelter system that End Homelessness St. John’s and our many partners have advocated for. We believe a housing-focused, person-centred approach to providing emergency shelter will lead to better coordination and equitable access to services and supports and ultimately lead to the permanent housing outcomes for our neighbours experiencing homelessness.”
Doug Pawson
Executive Director, End Homelessness St. John’s
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Provincial Government Announces Partnership for Transitional Supportive Living Arrangements
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The Provincial Government today issued an invitation to tender for the demolition of 32 existing long-term vacant units in the Crestview Avenue area of Corner Brook to make way for the construction of 50 new provincially-owned homes.
As part of record provincial investments in housing in Budget 2024, the Provincial Government announced $20 million to construct new homes in the area that are modern and energy efficient, with universal design features incorporated throughout.
On May 30, Inflector Environmental Services LP was awarded a tender to undertake abatement of the existing structures, valued at $429,300. The abatement process is ongoing and was required to safely remove materials containing asbestos and any other environmental concerns from the buildings prior to demolition.
The invitation to tender issued today includes the demolition of four vacant buildings in the Crestview Avenue area, as well as the safe removal of debris from the site and preparation of the site for new construction.
It is anticipated that an RFP for the construction of the new buildings will be issued in late-summer or early-fall 2024. The project will include multi-unit buildings that feature a combination of one- and two-bedroom homes, the greatest area of need in the current social housing portfolio.
Quotes
“I am pleased to see continued progress on our commitment to construct 50 new homes in Corner Brook. As a government, we continue to prioritize initiatives that will increase access to stable, safe and affordable housing for individuals and families in the western region.”
Honourable Fred Hutton
Minister of Housing
“This is the next step and a welcomed step in our government’s decision to move forward with the construction of 50 new homes for 50 families in our city. This multi-million-dollar investment is being made by our government and demonstrates the priority that we are placing on housing throughout the province.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills and MHA for Corner Brook
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Provincial Government to Build 50 Homes in Corner Brook
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