The Provincial Government today announced an investment of up to $2 million in the L’Arche Avalon housing project, which aims to assist adults living with intellectual disabilities to live fulfilling lives as active and engaged members of their community. It will also provide operational funding of $1.6 million annually beginning in 2027-28.
The Provincial Government is Newfoundland and Labrador Canada’s first Well-Being Province and is committed to supporting projects that foster inclusive and accessible communities where all residents have equal opportunities to participate. L’Arche Avalon aims to establish and sustain homes in the St. John’s region where adults with intellectual disabilities and their support assistants live together in a supportive partnership.
The proposed project will be located on Charter Avenue in Pleasantville. The project will feature two eight-unit homes, each with four fully accessible units on the main level. The main floor will be barrier-free, with universal design principles guiding the layout of the upper floor. In addition, the buildings are expected to achieve a 26 per cent reduction in energy use, contributing to long-term sustainability. Construction is set to begin in 2026, with completion anticipated in 2027.
The Provincial Government is supporting the project through an investment of up to 50 per cent of the capital construction costs, up to $2 million. The Federal Government will also be contributing $912,000.
L’Arche Avalon is division of L’Arche Canada, an incorporated non-profit organization which operates in 30 communities around the country from British Columbia to St. John’s, and is part of the international L’Arche movement in 37 countries. L’Arche seeks to house and engage with people with intellectual disabilities and work toward a more inclusive society while respecting each person’s wishes and preferences.
L’Arche Avalon already hosts activities for people with intellectual disabilities in the province, such as monthly walks and meals, music circles and social gatherings. This money will enable the charity to construct a residential living facility where adults with intellectual disabilities will live with their support assistants in an atmosphere of respect and social well-being.
Quotes
“This project will be a great addition to the ever-growing Pleasantville neighbourhood of St. John’s. L’Arche provides a great service to the community, especially for individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families. I welcome their increased presence in our community and applaud their efforts and commitment to grow the L’Arche footprint in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Jamie Korab
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“Our government is focused on delivering housing for the people of St. John’s and across the country. Supporting L’Arche Avalon Pleasantville Project is one of the ways we do that. I’m proud of our involvement in this project, and of the tangible difference it will make for people in this community.”
Honourable Joanne Thompson
Federal Minister of Fisheries and Member of Parliament for St. John’s East
“This investment is another sign of government’s commitment to transforming the health system, based on recommendations from Health Accord NL to one that recognizes how beneficial it is to an individual’s well-being to be part of the community. This residential community-living option is good news for the individuals, their families, their support workers and the neighborhood.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Health and Community Services
“We are pleased to see this project moving forward, as it will provide care to individuals with intellectual disabilities in a safe and comfortable community environment, and add to the richness of this growing neighbourhood. The L’Arche model of inclusion and respect has proven itself around the world, and we are happy to support the local chapter with their worthwhile project.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development and MHA Virginia Waters-Pleasantville
“L’Arche Avalon is overjoyed to share the incredible news that our Province has committed both capital and operational funding to our vision! Paired with land obtained from Canada Lands Corporation through the Government of Canada’s Federal Lands Initiative, this brings us one giant step closer to opening two beautiful L’Arche homes in Pleasantville for adults with intellectual disabilities. These two homes will be more than just buildings; they will be places of belonging, friendship and dignity. Rooted in L’Arche values of community and inclusion and inspired by decades of success across Canada, we know they will no only enrich the lives of those who live there, but also strengthen the very heart of our wider community.”
Lewis Andrews
Vice-Chair, Board of Directors, L’Arche Avalon
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L’Arche Avalon
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The Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) has today issued a tender for a design-build contract for the construction of a 20-unit apartment building on Crestview Avenue in Corner Brook.
The building will feature 10 one-bedroom and 10 two-bedroom apartments, meeting the areas of greatest demand for NLHC housing. Four of the two-bedroom units will be fully accessible, while all units will include universal design features such as widened interior doors and hallways, lever-type door handles and faucets. Units will range in size from 500 to 1,000 square feet.
These 20 units are the next step in the Provincial Government’s commitment to construct 50 new NLHC homes in western Newfoundland by 2028. In July, a contract was awarded to Brook Construction (2007) Inc. to begin construction on six homes in the same area, with a completion deadline of July 2026.
The Provincial Government continues to advance affordable housing construction through a combination of public and private construction projects. In addition to the Provincial Government’s commitment to build 50 homes in western Newfoundland, another 50 homes are also committed for central Newfoundland by 2028 and four homes are already under construction in Labrador City. A further 32 NLHC units on Janeway Place in St. John’s will be completed this fall, located near the site of a future 40-unit apartment building for which proposals are currently being accepted.
Last week, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation launched a second round of the Affordable Rental Housing Program to meet continued interest from developers. To date, this project has resulted in the construction of 116 homes in 12 communities, while work is underway on another 153 homes and will begin soon on a further 152 homes.
Quotes
“We are continuing to move forward with purpose on construction of new homes in western Newfoundland. These apartments will provide 20 individuals or families with modern, comfortable and affordable places to live within their community, and will meet our greatest areas of need.”
Honourable Jamie Korab
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
Minister of Seniors
“This new apartment building is a meaningful investment in Corner Brook. It strengthens our commitment to safe, affordable housing and reflects real progress in expanding options across western Newfoundland.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Jobs, Immigration and Growth
MHA for Corner Brook
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RFP
Contract Awarded to Construct Six Homes in Corner Brook
Provincial Government to Build 50 Homes in Corner Brook
Provincial Government Launches Second Round of Affordable Rental Housing Program
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Yesterday, federal, provincial, and territorial ministers responsible for housing met in Vancouver, British Columbia, to discuss solutions to key housing and homelessness issues facing people in Canada.
Co-chaired by the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Canada’s Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, and the Honourable Bernadette Smith, Manitoba’s Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness, the meeting of the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Forum on Housing focused on a coordinated approach to advancing housing and homelessness priorities and strengthening collaboration to meet pressing and evolving needs across the country.
Amongst the most critical issues facing the country is the shortage of affordable housing, and the severity of homelessness that requires expanding deeply affordable, supportive and transitional housing. The housing crisis is multi-faceted, leading to a complex and rapidly evolving environment – one that demands a strengthened partnership between jurisdictions and collaboration across sectors, such as trade, labour, urban planning, to break down barriers to accelerate housing supply and increase affordability.
Ministers acknowledge the positive impact of the nearly $16 billion in joint federal, provincial, and territorial investments under the National Housing Strategy, which have supported over 600,000 households across the country. With the expiry of the bilateral agreements under the National Housing Strategy in 2028, Ministers committed to renewing the federal, provincial and territorial housing partnership to ensure ongoing support for affordable housing. (Note: Although it shares several objectives of other governments, Québec has not endorsed the multilateral housing partnership framework and signed its bilateral agreement outside of the National Housing Strategy.)
Building on commitments made through the National Housing Strategy and at the First Ministers’ Meeting in June 2025, Ministers agreed to keep working together to build a strong economy and advance innovative projects of importance for Canada, with provincial and territorial lenses, that can enable an increase in the supply of housing across the country, including affordable housing.
Ministers also committed to working together on five priorities aimed at improving housing outcomes across the country:
Ministers concluded the meeting with a commitment to ongoing collaboration, regular engagement, and collective action to address Canada’s housing crisis through the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Forum on Housing.
Minister Smith announced that as Manitoba’s two-year term as provincial/territorial co-chair of the Federal, Provincial, Territorial Forum on Housing will come to an end in December 2025, Ontario will assume the next two-year provincial/territorial co-chair term beginning in January 2026.
Quotes
“We are taking a Team Canada approach to transforming our housing systems and making housing more affordable across the country. This meeting is part of our commitment to building bold, building strong, and building together alongside provinces and territories.”
Honourable Gregor Robertson
Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada, Government of Canada
“As primary partners in housing, provinces and territories are committed to continue working with the Federal Government to increase access to housing where needed most, and we are encouraged by today’s discussion regarding renewing partnerships on affordable housing beyond the expiry of the National Housing Strategy. All provinces and territories, including Manitoba, have unique housing needs and we look forward to expediting these conversations as we work collaboratively with our federal partners on a renewed vision for housing.”
Honourable Bernadette Smith
Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness, Government of Manitoba
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Federal, Provincial and Territorial Forum on Housing
First Ministers’ statement on building a strong Canadian economy and advancing major projects
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BACKGROUNDER
In 2018, ministers responsible for housing endorsed a multilateral Housing Partnership Framework, which recognizes federal, provincial and territorial governments as primary partners in housing. The framework asserts a shared vision for housing and sets the foundation for the delivery of key National Housing Strategy (NHS) initiatives.
The Federal, Provincial, and Territorial (FPT) Forum on Housing is the primary intergovernmental forum to discuss housing policy and program design, as well as monitor and evaluate the state of housing in Canada. The Forum also provides opportunities to discuss the assessment of NHS effectiveness and shared knowledge to inform decision-making and priority setting by each government, as well as adjustments to FPT agreements where appropriate.
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) is seeking proposals to build a 40-unit apartment building on St. John’s Place, on the corner of Charter Avenue in the Pleasantville area of St. John’s.
This 40-unit residential complex will feature one and two-bedroom apartments. Plans will also include space for future commercial and supportive services on the ground floor to better serve residents. Energy efficiency will also be a key element of the building design.
The facility’s design will focus on providing residential housing with an emphasis on serving seniors and persons with disabilities. The building will exceed local accessibility standards with eight units being fully-wheelchair accessible. The remaining 32 units will have Universal Design features incorporated throughout the property, including widened exterior and interior doors and hallways, and lever-type door handles and faucets.
The Provincial Government acquired federal property in Pleasantville to develop affordable housing with support from the National Housing Strategy, specifically from the Federal Lands Initiative.
Access to safe housing is an important social determinant of health, and the Provincial Government is addressing current housing needs head on, with investments in three key areas:
It is anticipated that the contract will be awarded in October, with work to begin later in the fall.
Quotes
“I am very pleased to see this move toward providing more affordable housing. Housing stability is fundamental to the social, financial and physical well-being of all individuals, families and our communities. Our focus remains on helping all people have a safe, comfortable and affordable place to call home.”
Honourable Jamie Korab, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“With our partners at the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, we’re turning shovels into keys so more neighbours can move into affordable homes. This is practical, local progress that is in our bold, ambitious plan to build Canada strong.”
Honourable Joanne Thompson
Minister of Fisheries and Member of Parliament for St. John’s East
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Pleasantville Apartment Complex, St. John’s, Nl – 25TS036 | MERX
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Media contact
Nancy Walsh
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055, 709-853-5740
njwalsh@nlhc.nl.ca