As part of the new Provincial Government’s commitment to help more people find a safe and affordable place to live, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) has issued a request for proposals to build a three-apartment accessible home in St. John’s.
The work will see construction of one residential building on Hoyles Avenue on land owned by NLHC. This one-story building will consist of three separate apartments. One of them will be a one-bedroom unit and two will be studio style. The one-bedroom and one studio apartment will be fully wheelchair accessible, while all three apartments will incorporate Universal Design features such as wider doors, lever handles, and grab bars.
The two studio-style units are between 450-500 square feet, and the one-bedroom unit is approximately 700 square feet. These units will support individuals who are experiencing homelessness or who are unsheltered.
Funding of $458,000 is being provided by End Homelessness St. John’s through the Government of Canada’s Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampments Initiative, a $250 million program that works to help individuals who are experiencing homelessness or unsheltered find stable housing.
Accessible homes are much needed. In the 2024 report called Point-in-Time Count compiled by End Homelessness St John’s, 92 per cent of people experiencing homeless identified as having a disability.
This RFP is open until April 16, 2026.
Quotes
“Too many people in Newfoundland and Labrador cannot find a safe and affordable place to live. This project shows how we can work with the Federal Government, the private sector and the community sector to get things done. It will take all of us working together toward the common goal of getting more homes built.”
Honourable Joedy Wall
Minister of Housing
“Our government is proud to support the construction of three apartments on Hoyles Avenue in St. John’s. These apartments will become safe, accessible homes for members of our community who are in need, and represent an important step towards tackling homelessness in St. John’s.”
Honourable Joanne Thompson
Federal Minister of Fisheries
Member of Parliament for St. John’s East
“Access to safe, appropriate housing is foundational to ending homelessness, and for many individuals we serve, accessibility is essential. This investment, supported by our Community Advisory Board, represents a meaningful step forward in creating housing that meets people where they are, particularly those living with disabilities who too often face barriers in securing stable homes. By combining accessibility, thoughtful design, and targeted support, this project reflects the kind of collaborative, solutions-focused approach we need to see more of across our community.”
Doug Pawson
Executive Director, End Homelessness St. John’s
The following statement is from the Honourable Joedy Wall, Minister of Housing and Minister of Social Supports and Well-Being:
“This report highlights something that we knew from our time in opposition, that during a time when housing needs were evolving and needs were increasing, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation has lacked proper support and coherent direction from the former government for years.
As the Auditor General’s report notes, the corporation had a net loss of 57 units from April 1, 2021 to June 30, 2025. This loss occurred despite investments of $38.2 million from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation Bilateral Agreement, and $11.7 million from Budget 2024.
As a result of this neglect, there were consequences, this includes the waitlist at NLHC, which grew by 35 per cent from 2021 to 2025, and is not kept current. Additionally, the corporation could not effectively forecast demand for social rental housing. Construction of new units was done on an ad hoc basis.
In Budget 2024, the former administration announced, out of nowhere, that NLHC would be absorbed into the Provincial Government. This announcement was made with no plan, and no work was ever done to make it happen. The only impact it did have was stalling crucial decision-making.
In addition, over a two-year period, the corporation had six different ministers. This is a concern that has been noted to me in every stakeholder meeting I have had since taking on this portfolio. Stakeholders are tired of briefing a new minister every three to six months while issues persist.
We have made several changes since forming government, with the aim of providing proper oversight and support to the NLHC. This includes:
• Appointing a full-time, dedicated CEO for the NLHC, who is solely focused on bringing forward fresh ideas to some of the issues facing the corporation, which they and their team will work to implement.
• We have awarded a contract to replace our outdated rental management software and are in the process of finalizing a contract for a new modern system that will provide us with better data quality and other tools.
• We will create a position to complete a policy review for the first time in over a decade. NLHC has undergone significant change in that time, including a change in management structure, taking over the emergency shelter system, the COVID-19 pandemic and the onset of a housing and homelessness crisis. Our policies must reflect these new realities.
Our government has committed to aggressively repairing or replacing uninhabitable units, but as this report makes clear, the corporation has systemic issues that must be addressed so that we can do this effectively. This is something we aim to fix, and I hope to provide an update on this work in the near future.
I would like to thank the Auditor General and her staff for their in-depth review of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation’s supply management. The report highlights issues with oversight, data quality and management, planning and execution. These are serious issues that must be addressed, and I have full faith in the team to make the necessary changes, with government’s support, to put the corporation on the right track.”
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The Honourable Joedy Wall, Minister of Housing and Minister of Social Supports and Well-Being, is today announcing the recipients of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation’s 2025 Scholarships for tenants pursuing post-secondary studies.
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) believes in empowering our tenants as they pursue academic success and prepare for their future careers. Post-secondary education helps expand the province’s economy, and will help these students contribute meaningfully in their communities for years to come.
Every year, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) awards scholarships to both high school graduates and mature students who are pursuing a post-secondary education. To qualify, recipients or their legal guardians must be living in NLHC housing or be receiving a rent supplement from NLHC for a private market rental.
This year there are 11 recipients, including five youth scholarship recipients and six adult scholarship winners.
NLHC Youth Scholarship recipients include:
NLHC Adult Scholarship winners include:
Two recipients requested not to have their name shared publicly. Each scholarship is valued at $1,000.
Quote
“Post secondary education can expand our thinking and experiences, and put us on a path towards a bright, fulfilling life. I am happy to congratulate the 11 recipients of the NLHC scholarship. I wish them much success in their studies and hope they avail of all the opportunities that advanced education opens for their future.”
Honourable Joedy Wall
Minister of Housing and Minister of Social Supports and Well-Being
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