Many renters in Newfoundland and Labrador are struggling to afford their home, and Budget 2026 includes new dedicated funding to help lower-income families stay housed.
Starting in 2026-27, an additional $4 million per year will be dedicated to increasing the number of low-income households eligible for the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Benefits by approximately 500.
The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Benefit (CHB) is a portable rental assistance program for low-income households. That means that once a household is approved for this assistance, the benefit transfers with them if they decide to move to a new home.
Funding received through the program varies based on individual households, as the amount received is calculated as the gap between what a qualifying household can pay (using NLHC’s rent-geared-to-income calculation) and the average market rent in an area.
NLHC’s current waitlist is just over 2,600. More than 60 per cent of these applicants currently have housing, but they are struggling to afford it and qualify for NLHC assistance at their current income level. This funding will help reduce the waitlist by approximately 20 per cent.
There are currently 2,589 households that receive rental assistance through the CHB. Over its lifetime, the program has helped more than 3,300 households.
Premier Wakeham and the new Provincial Government are focused on reducing the number of families who have to pay more than 30 per cent of their income on housing costs. Increased CHB access is one of the ways to achieve this, along with increasing the availability of affordable housing through construction and aggressive maintenance of current units. Housing investments in Budget 2026 reflect these priorities.
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“Since forming government, one of the first things that we’ve identified is a need for more Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Benefits each year. This meets the needs of families who are housed but struggling to afford rent, allowing us to prioritize new housing for those without access to housing. We will continue to prioritize investments that work over those that are flashy, and I look forward to the continued success of this program.”
Honourable Joedy Wall
Minister of Housing
Minister of Social Supports and Well-Being
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The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Joedy Wall, Minister of Housing:
Speaker, it is my privilege to rise and thank members of the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association for holding their 58th National Congress on Housing and Homelessness in St. John’s this week.
This association represents organizations, businesses, municipalities and individuals from every province and territory in Canada who work together to strengthen the community housing sector through their advocacy, research, partnerships and services.
We are pleased to have been a title sponsor to make this important conference happen. More than 600 people met here for three days of learning, networking, and engaging with leaders from across the Canadian community housing sector.
I was able to meet with dozens of people who have the knowledge, expertise and commitment to reinvigorate Canada’s housing sector.
I also welcomed the opportunity to meet with Ana Bailão, CEO of Build Canada Homes, to learn more about how that federal agency may support our own efforts to grow affordable and sustainable housing in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Speaker, my thanks to the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association and local and national partners for their efforts and contributions towards resolving the housing crisis.
As part of the new government’s commitment to aggressively repair and replace damaged or uninhabitable homes, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation has issued a Request for Proposals to build four new apartments on Empire Avenue.
These new homes will replace four homes that were destroyed in a fire in July 2024. This project is jointly funded by the Federal Government and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador as part of the Canada Community Housing Initiative, which is part of the broader National Housing Strategy, a multi-year $115 billion plan to give more Canadians a place to call home.
In order to meet the area of greatest demand, these four apartments will be smaller, one-bedroom homes, each approximately 450 square feet. Residents will benefit from lower energy costs due to the building’s energy-efficient construction and smaller building footprint.
A nearby building that was damaged in the same fire is undergoing repairs, and those four units will be ready for occupancy this spring.
This RFP is open until April 24, 2026, with the project award anticipated in May.
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“Our government has committed to repair and replace damaged and destroyed NLHC homes, and this project shows how we can work with our federal counterparts to help make it happen. A secure and safe home increases a person’s safety and contributes to our community’s well-being, and these four units will allow residents the opportunity to form meaningful connections in a healthy environment.”
Honourable Joedy Wall
Minister of Housing
Minister of Social Supports and Well-Being
“Our Government is proud to support this initiative, part of our ongoing efforts to build strong, affordable communities across Newfoundland and Labrador. These new housing units will make a real impact on lives in St. John’s, and it’s another step forward in our bold, ambitious plan to build Canada strong.”
The Honourable Joanne Thompson
Minister of Fisheries and Member of Parliament for St. John’s East
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Request For Proposals, New Residential Build – St. John’s, Nl – 25TS007 | MERX
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