Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. Today, the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador announced a $300,000 investment to support individuals experiencing homelessness in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
This includes cost-shared funding of $200,000 under the National Housing Strategy, which will be provided to the Nunatsiavut Government to support the critical work of the Housing Hub emergency shelter. This investment will allow the creation of a “Housing Navigator” position at the Housing Hub to work with government and community partners to support individuals experiencing homelessness in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
The two-year initiative will primarily focus on improving coordination and integration of existing community supports at the shelter, as well as offering support to individuals experiencing homelessness through safe, affordable and stable housing.
Additionally, $100,000 is being provided to the Labrador Friendship Centre through an investment by the Community Housing Transformation Centre of $66,000 and a federal and provincial investment of $34,000 through the National Housing Strategy.
The Labrador Friendship Centre, working in collaboration with community partners in the homelessness sector, will use this funding to complete a community-led needs assessment. This will help identify opportunities for improved coordination of services and will also identify any gaps in infrastructure or services required to support the current and longer term needs of those experiencing or at risk of homelessness in the Happy Valley-Goose Bay area.
Participating in today’s announcement were the Honourable John Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation and Yvonne Jones, Member of Parliament for Labrador, on behalf of the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity.
Quotes
“The right to adequate housing is a fundamental human right. This is why, through the National Housing Strategy, we are providing a helping hand to those who are at risk of homelessness in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. In doing so, not only are we ensuring the most vulnerable secure safe housing, but are also contributing to the economic and social well-being of the community as a whole.”
Honourable Ahmed Hussen
Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion and
Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
“Everyone deserves to have a safe and affordable place to call home. Today’s announcement is a great example of the continued strong partnership between federal, provincial and Indigenous governments, working together with our community partners to address housing and homelessness needs throughout the province.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“When governments and community-based organizations work together to support individuals who are experiencing housing challenges, we can come up with initiatives that achieve positive outcomes.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs and
Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
“This funding will enable staff at the Housing Hub to better administer and coordinate programs and services to some of the most vulnerable in our society. The creation of a Housing Navigator position will assist these individuals by facilitating a more focused approach to secure permanent housing options.”
Honourable Gerald Asivak
Minister, Health and Social Development
Nunatsiavut Government
“Access to adequate, affordable housing is the foundation for socio-economic success. It supports better education and health outcomes, better employment prospects and better community engagement and cohesion, not to mention economic growth and financial security. Our Government is committed to providing communities the support they need.”
Yvonne Jones, Member of Parliament for Labrador
“Among the Centre’s key priorities are improving services for Indigenous people and supporting the growth of the community-housing sector. This project will help achieve both of these goals. A core part of our mission at the Centre is providing funds to assist community-housing providers to better meet the changing needs of their communities. This planning process is a vital first step to meeting the housing needs of residents in the region, and we are a proud partner in this joint initiative.”
Hope Jamieson
Program Manager – Newfoundland & Labrador
Community Housing Transformation Centre
“The Labrador Friendship Centre is excited to partake in this partnership with NLHC to ensure this important work can be completed in Upper Melville.”
Jennifer Elson
Executive Director
Labrador Friendship Centre
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Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
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Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
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Office of the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
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Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
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The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, recognized today (November 22), as National Housing Day. This annual event provides an opportunity to acknowledge the importance of affordable housing in communities throughout our country.
In 2019, under the National Housing Strategy, our province signed a ten-year agreement with the Federal Government that will see cost-shared investments in excess of $344 million to preserve, repair and expand social and community housing and respond to diverse housing needs throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
Earlier this year, we announced a cost-shared investment for 2020-21 of $17 million to complete much needed repairs to Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation’s social housing stock.
We also recently announced a new Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Benefit that will see further cost-shared investments of $74 million over the next seven years to increase access to safe, adequate and affordable housing for renters in the private market.
These agreements show what can be achieved through strong partnerships and highlights the power of working together to build stronger and healthier communities.
Quote
“The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador remains committed to addressing the diverse housing needs in our province – from those at risk of or experiencing homelessness to individuals and families facing challenges with housing affordability. As access to safe and affordable housing is a key determinant of health, our government will continue to make investments to ensure we have the necessary supports and resources in place across the full housing continuum.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
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Learn more
News Release – Announcing the Canada – Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Benefit
News Release – Provincial and Federal Governments Announce $270 Million Housing Agreement
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Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador today announced seven successful recipients of the Provincial Housing and Homelessness Partnership Fund.
Today’s investment of $1.5 million will strengthen partnerships within our communities that will help to address emerging provincial housing priorities while supporting the broad outcomes and objectives within the 10-year National Housing Strategy (NHS), launched in 2017.
Organizations and municipalities receiving funding are:
The Provincial Housing and Homelessness Partnership Fund is designed to support projects throughout the province which leverage partnerships and strengthen capacity of the community housing sector to provide housing options for low-income households.
Investments are intended to target vulnerable populations, including women and children fleeing domestic violence, Indigenous peoples, seniors, young adults, persons with disabilities, persons experiencing mental health and addictions issues, and persons experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness.
This investment also builds on the recently announced Canada Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Benefit. Through a cost-shared investment of $74.3 million, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation will expand the number of households receiving support to rent in the private market from 1,800 to over 2,600 by 2027-28.
The Canada Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Benefit will target households in severe core housing need and provide a direct housing affordability benefit to improve housing outcomes for some of our province’s most vulnerable populations.
Quotes
“Having a safe, comfortable and affordable home is something many of us take for granted yet not everyone is fortunate to have such circumstances. Through the Provincial Housing and Homelessness Partnership Fund, we are working with our federal, municipal, Indigenous and community partners, to building stronger communities and provide housing supports to those who need them most.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“The projects announced today through the Provincial Housing and Homelessness Partnership Fund are the result of great partnerships, working together to respond to housing and homelessness needs in our communities. This funding, along with the recently announced Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Benefit, builds on the work we have started to ensure all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have safe, stable and affordable housing.
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Through announcements such as this, we clearly see what collaboration can achieve. Together with our partners, our government is supplying the people of St. John’s and beyond with affordable housing and the peace of mind to raise their families in a safe and healthy environment. Congratulations to the successful proponents. Together, we are building hope and a better country that leaves no one behind.”
Honourable Ahmed Hussen
Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion and
Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
“Canada’s National Housing Strategy is providing affordable homes for the people of St. John’s South – Mount Pearl and across Newfoundland and Labrador. Through a collaborative ten year plan, we’re ensuring that our strategy helps our most vulnerable citizens first and foremost. Partnerships like the one we are celebrating here today are important to finding every Canadian a safe place to call home.”
Honourable Seamus O’Regan
Minister of Labour
Member of Parliament for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl
“The Salvation Army continues to partner with government to support the needs of our community. We are grateful today for this extension of support from the Federal and Provincial government that will enable us to provide accommodation for those needing a place to call home”.
Lt.-Colonel Eddie Vincent
Divisional Commander, The Salvation Army, Newfoundland and Labrador
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Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
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Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
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Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
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Mikaela Harrison
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
mikaela.harrison@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
media@cmhc.ca
Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. That is why the Government of Canada partnered with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to provide additional support to thousands of low-income households across the province.
Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl, and the Honourable John Abbott, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, announced an 8-year, $74.4 million investment in the Canada – Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Benefit (CA-NL HB) to support over 2,600 households across the province.
The Canada Housing Benefit is a National Housing Strategy program funded by the Government of Canada and cost-matched by Newfoundland and Labrador.
In addition, the CA-NL HB is intended to address rental instability among certain target groups such as women and children experiencing or at risk of domestic violence, seniors, Indigenous peoples, peoples with disabilities, those dealing with mental health and addiction issues, homeless individuals and those at risk of homelessness, racialized communities, veterans, young adults, among others.
Quotes
“Our Government is committed to ensuring that every Canadian has a safe and affordable place to call home and we recognize the long-standing need for predictable funding for housing. Today, we are taking another significant step toward our goal of building strong communities where the people of Newfoundland and Labrador continue to prosper and thrive, now and for generations to come.”
The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
“Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. This $74.4 million dollar investment will provide housing stability, combat homelessness and support those who need it most. This will improve the quality of life for people in our Province and give everyone an equal chance at success.”
The Honourable Seamus O’Regan Minister of Natural Resources, Member of Parliament for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl
“Through this partnership, which comes into effect in September 2021, we will provide access to safe, adequate, and affordable housing to over 2,600 low-income households over the next seven years. Working together with our federal partners, these investments will help to provide housing for many individuals and families — a place to call home — which is essential to their social, financial and physical well-being. Together we are making a real difference in lives of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”
The Honourable John Abbott, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
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Learn more
As Canada’s authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC’s aim is that by 2030, everyone in Canada has a home they can afford, and that meets their needs. For more information, please visit cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.
To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.
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Media contacts
Michelle Hunt-Grouchy
Children, Seniors and Social Development
709-729-5148, 682-6593
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Communications Assistant
Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
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Media Relations
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
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