Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. That’s why the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador, through a partnership of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation and End Homelessness St. John’s, are supporting 12 community organizations to extend COVID-19 responses to address the on-going needs of people experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness. These projects will focus on homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing and promotion of housing stability.
A combined investment of approximately $1 million will support the implementation of these 12 community-based projects, through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Bi-lateral Agreement under the National Housing Strategy, and Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy through Employment and Social Development Canada.
End Homelessness St. John’s issued a proposal call to the St. John’s Housing and Homelessness sector in March 2021, and the successful community organizations were selected through a joint review process. A list of community organizations receiving funding can be viewed in the back-grounder below. Projects have commenced with funding approved until March 31, 2022.
Today, the Provincial Government also launched a $1.5 million proposal call under the federal government’s National Housing Strategy through the Provincial Housing and Homelessness Partnership Fund. The 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. The fund targets supports to 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.
The fund is seeking proposals for partnerships from proponents, including Indigenous and non-profit organizations, and municipalities. Applications may be advanced under two funding streams: Capital Contributions stream or Creative and Innovative Solutions stream, with maximum one-time funding of $250,000 per project. Further information on the proposal call, including the funding application, can be found: Here. Applications close August 31, 2021.
This builds on the Government of Canada’s record of supporting housing projects across the country, and right here in Newfoundland and Labrador. This includes $5 million to build a minimum of 14 new permanent and affordable homes in St. John’s in the next 12 months, and $18.5 million in cost-shared funding with the Provincial Government, announced earlier this year to complete repairs to Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation’s social housing units in 2021-22 throughout the province, including vacancies requiring major repairs in order to be available to new tenants. This includes repairs to reopen 10 homes in Labrador West and three homes in Nain for families in need. The Government of Canada is committed to providing safe, stable and affordable housing to give everyone a fair chance at success.
QUOTES
“Working together with our federal and community partners, these investments will help to secure safe, stable and affordable 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 their lives.”
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. That’s why we are proud to partner in these important initiatives as we increase the supply of affordable housing and give peace of mind and stability to the families in Newfoundland and Labrador. When we strengthen our communities, we build hope and a better Canada. This is the National Housing Strategy at work.”
Honourable Ahmed Hussen
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
“Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. These 12 local projects 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.”
Honourable Seamus O’Regan
Minister of Natural Resources
Member of Parliament for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl
“Aligning our investments with our provincial and federal partners provides the community with much needed additional resources to serve our most vulnerable neighbours. Investing in a wide-range of supports and services will no doubt lead to successful housing outcomes for those who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.”
Doug Pawson
Executive Director
End Homelessness St. John’s
Learn more
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL, @CSSD_GovNL and @nlhousing
Visit cmhc.ca or follow 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
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
BACKGROUNDER
|
Community Organizations Receiving Funds |
Amount |
| Aids Committee NL | $66,728 |
| Choices for Youth | $67,449 |
| Connections for Seniors | $161,477 |
| Empower NL | $53,130 |
| First Light | $75,645 |
| Homestead | $36,993 |
| Iris Kirby House | $120,226 |
| John Howard Society | $63,020 |
| St. John’s Status of Women’s Council | $63,695 |
| Stella’s Circle | $77,227 |
| The Gathering Place | $63,308 |
| Thrive | $130,133 |
The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador are making a significant cost-shared investment in housing throughout the Province.
Eight families will soon be moving into newly constructed affordable housing units on Froude Avenue in St. John’s. The $1.5 million housing investment is cost-shared between the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador under the National Housing Strategy.
The Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, along with the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC),via live video stream, the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Natural Resources, and the Honourable John Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) viewed the new homes today.
The eight-unit building includes four wheelchair-accessible, two-bedroom units on the main level, and four two-bedroom units on the second level. Universal Design features were used throughout the building and include items such as ‘no step’ level entry building entrances, widened exterior and interior doors and hallways, lever-type door handles, grab bars and minimal flooring transitions.
Energy efficiency was also a key element in the design and construction of the building. These homes exceed the energy performance requirements in the National Building Code and meet the Provincial Government’s ‘Build Better Buildings’ policy.
The remaining $17 million in funding will support additional investments on repairs to NLHC social housing units in 2021-22, including vacancies requiring major repairs in order to be available to new tenants. This includes repairs to reopen 10 homes in Labrador West and three homes in Nain for families in need.
Quotes
“Safe, stable and affordable housing – a place to call home – is essential to the social, financial and physical well-being of individuals, families and our communities. Investments in our social housing will ensure that this important public asset will be available to those most in need today, and well into the future.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home and today’s announcement brings us a step closer to making that a reality. We’re proud partners in making these important investments that will go a long way for families in St. John’s and across the province. This is the National Housing Strategy at work.”
Honourable Ahmed Hussen
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and
Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
“Nothing is more important than a home. St. John’s families work hard and deserve a safe and affordable place to call home. The collaboration shown between the Government of Canada and the province of Newfoundland and Labrador demonstrates a commitment to that belief. Together we are building a generation of new, permanent housing that we can all be proud of.”
Honourable Seamus O’Regan
Minister of Natural Resources and
MP for St. John’s South – Mount Pearl
“We look forward to welcoming our new families to our community. Continued investments in repairs, including energy efficiency and accessibility modifications to better serve our province’s aging population, are key elements in the long-term sustainability of our social housing portfolio.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
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Learn More
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Follow us on Twitter @GovNL, @CSSD_GovNL and @nlhousing
Like us on Facebook
Media contacts
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Audrey-Anne Coulombe
Media Relations
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
acoulomb@cmhc-schl.gc.ca
