Minister Wall Responds to Auditor General’s Report on Horizons at 106

The Honourable Joedy Wall, Minister of Housing, was pleased to receive the Auditor General’s report into the Transitional Supportive Living Initiative that came to be known as Horizons at 106.

The Auditor General’s review, which was first requested on July 31, 2025, by Premier Wakeham when he was the Leader of the Opposition, validates our concerns with how the lease was procured.

In her report, the Auditor General found:

  • Government’s response was reactive rather than planned as a result of the tent encampment across from Confederation Building, which eventually moved to the site of the Colonial Building.
  • Despite pointing to the urgent need for transitional housing, the former government did not use an emergency or urgency exemption to procure the facility, which would have only allowed a 12-month contract. Instead, they used an exemption for a particular space, which allowed them to sign a three-year contract without a competitive process.
  • From February 15, 2024, to December 31, 2025, total expenditures reached $24 million. The former government publicly touted the price tag for this period as $13.8 million.
  • A cap was put on the number of residents at 75, leaving 30 rooms vacant at a cost of $1.5 million annually.
  • There were 34 individuals who transitioned to independent permanent housing between June 2024 and December 2025, resulting in an average total cost of approximately $706,000 per person.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation has instructed the operator to cease intake at Horizons at 106, and the Provincial Government will work with community partners on comprehensive transition plans for all residents of Horizons as of December 31, 2026. For some, this will mean moving on to independent housing as planned when they entered Horizons.For others, it will mean placement in a supportive model delivered in newly renovated NLHC homes, private market rentals supported by Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Benefits, or other forms of housing. Models like this exist currently in Newfoundland and Labrador.

All residents of Horizons at 106 are classified as NLHC tenants and will be processed as transfers. These individuals will be matched with supports from community partners in their homes.

The earlier request for proposals issued to replace Horizons, which was released in August 2025 under the former government, has been cancelled. Three proposals were received, only two qualified and neither were deemed suitable as an effective replacement for the program.

Budget 2026 included $12.7 million over two years to repair NLHC homes, which includes funding to hire more than 20 maintenance staff, as well as $4 million to increase the amount of available Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Benefits by approximately 500.

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“We were clear since before we formed government that the lease for 106 Airport Road was an example of Liberal waste, secrecy and insider connections. This report, first requested by Premier Wakeham, validates that. Discussions are ongoing with community partners on a solution that focuses on the people supported by Horizons. I am confident we will put in place appropriate supports for those leaving Horizons in December.”
Honourable Joedy Wall
Minister of Housing

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Provincial Government Doubling Funding Available Through Homeowner Support Programs While Reducing Red Tape

NLHC’s homeowner support programs are being improved to give more money to low-income homeowners who need repairs to their homes, and to reduce the unnecessary steps needed to do it.

Homeowner support programs include the Provincial Home Repair Program (PHRP), the Home Energy Savings Program (HESP) and the Home Modification Program. Starting in Fall 2026, the first two programs will be combined to eliminate the overlap in the programs. Other changes for the PHRP and HESP will be to:

  • Double the forgivable loan available for repairs, from $5,000 to $10,000 (from $6,500 to $13,000 in Labrador).
  • Increase the lifetime maximum amount of funding that homeowners can get from the program, from $12,500 to $30,000.
  • Reduce the wait time to reapply for the program, from seven years to five years.
  • Remove the requirement for pre- and post-inspections for all home repairs, unless requested by the homeowner.

The Home Modification Program, which helps homeowners make accessibility modifications to their homes, will also see changes, including:

  • Doubling the forgivable loan, from $7,500 to $15,000.
  • Removing the requirement for a recommendation from an occupational therapist for minor modifications like handrails and grab bars.
  • Removing the requirement for an inspection by NLHC for minor modifications.

Occupational therapist recommendations will still be required for major work like a bathroom modification or ramp installation.

These changes result from an annualized investment of $7.3 million introduced in Budget 2026.

The current income threshold of $42,500 ($65,000 in Labrador) for the Provincial Home Repair Program and the Home Energy Savings Program will be maintained for the new combined program. The income threshold for the Home Modification Program is $51,500 ($65,000 in Labrador).

Budget 2026 delivers on commitments to improve affordability and support seniors to remain safely in their homes and communities. These investments reflect our commitment to dignity, independence, and better care closer to home, creating more opportunities for all of us.

Quotes
“As we set forward to build more homes in this province, we haven’t lost sight of how important it is to keep people housed. These changes to the Homeowner Support Programs will make them more responsive to people’s needs, while providing a level of funding that can actually cover important renovations for low-income homeowners.”
Honourable Joedy Wall
Minister of Housing
Minister of Social Supports and Well-Being

“Seniors are historically the main recipients of NLHC’s homeowner support programs, and these changes will help counteract the rising cost of living they face each day. We are committed to improving programs and services that help seniors age well in the most appropriate place.”
Honourable Craig Pardy
Minister of Seniors
Minister of Finance

“SeniorsNL welcomes these important enhancements to the Homeowner Support Programs, which will make a meaningful difference for older adults striving to remain safely and independently in their homes. By increasing financial assistance and reducing administrative barriers, government is taking important steps to respond to the real pressures seniors are facing and strengthen supports for aging in place. These changes reflect a strong commitment to dignity, safety, choice, and connection within our communities.”
Kimberly Leonard
Chief Executive Officer, Seniors NL

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Learn more
Budget 2026 – Opportunity for All of Us