The Honourable Joedy Wall, Minister of Housing, announced today that a contract has been awarded to Redwood Construction to build 10 new micro homes on Army Street in St. John’s.

These 10 homes will support people who are experiencing homelessness, helping give them the security of a safe and affordable home. A micro home is smaller than a typical apartment and will be approximately 500 square feet.

The contract, valued at $1.67 million, will cover the construction of two buildings – one with six studio-style apartments and the other with four. Two of the 10 homes will be fully accessible, while all homes will include universal design features such as lever handles, grab bars and colour contrast.

Funding for this project is provided through the Federal Government’s Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampments Initiative, which prioritizes projects that directly support people experiencing homelessness.

Minister Wall was today joined by Tom Osborne, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of Treasury Board and Member of Parliament for Cape Spear, and by St. John’s Councillor Brenda Halley for the official groundbreaking at the site, which is located in the Buckmaster’s Circle neighbourhood. The land is owned by Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.

The Provincial Government has set the goal of 10,000 new homes in Newfoundland and Labrador over five years, so that everyone has the opportunity to find a safe and suitable home within their budget. In addition to pursuing investments in new housing, government will meet this goal by:

• Working with municipalities to reduce the red tape surrounding new home builds and redevelopment.
• Exploring modular home construction to build homes faster.
• Helping to create affordable and independent housing for seniors who prefer to move into a supportive community environment, freeing up housing in the private market.
• Aggressively repairing or replacing uninhabitable NLHC units.

These efforts are focused on reducing the number of families who have to spend more than 30 per cent of their income on housing costs.

Quotes
“Too many people in Newfoundland and Labrador cannot find a safe and affordable place to live. This is especially true for those who have experienced homelessness, and who face added barriers to finding suitable housing. These micro homes will mean a fresh start, helping to lift them out of homelessness and toward a brighter future.”
Honourable Joedy Wall
Minister of Housing
Minister of Social Supports and Well-Being

“These micro-homes in St. John’s represent a step forward in our fight to deal with chronic homelessness and improve access to safe, stable and affordable housing across Canada. Our government is pleased to work with the province of Newfoundland and Labrador to make sure everyone has a place to call home.”
Tom Osborne
Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament for Cape Spear

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