The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Housing and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, today announced the final approval of 11 projects under the Rental Housing Development Loan Program. These projects will support the development of over 450 new purpose-built residential rental units.
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has approved loans of more than $41 million for the program. Eligible projects were approved through the Innovation and Business Investment Corporation, a Crown corporation supported by the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology.
There were 45 expression of interest applications received from all regions of the province through Phase I of the program. There were 16 invitations to apply to Phase II with 11 proposals being recommended in Phase III. These 11 projects have now received and signed financing agreements, designating final approval.
Further information on the successful applicants and approved projects can be found below.
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Rental Housing Development Loan Program offers low-interest loan financing to qualified property developers for the construction of new rental housing. The aim of the program is to help increase the availability of housing as quickly as possible by incentivizing the construction of new units. Further information can be found on the website.
The Rental Housing Development Loan Program is part of the Provincial Government’s Five-Point Housing Plan, which aims to stimulate community and private sector development of affordable and market housing. More information on this plan can be found on Newfoundland and Labrador Housing’s website.
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“The Rental Housing Development Loan program is helping to stimulate the creation of new market-rentals in the province, an area of significant demand. Together with other initiatives under the Five-Point Plan, as well as separate initiatives like the Affordable Rental Housing Program and the announced construction of new provincially owned homes, we are addressing need across the entire housing continuum.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Housing and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
BACKGROUNDER
Rental Housing Development Loan Program
| Project | Location | Number of Units | Loan Funding | Targeted Completion Year |
| St. Anthony Basin Resources Inc. | St. Anthony | 10 units | $1,150,000 | 2025 |
| Cherry Lane Construction Inc. O/A New Victorian Homes (Project 1) | St. John’s | 4 units | $760,000 | 2025 |
| Cherry Lane Construction Inc. O/A New Victorian Homes (Project 2) | St. John’s | 4 units | $760,000 | 2025 |
| Yellow Fox Properties Inc. | Gander | 4 units | $628,000 | 2025 |
| Pavy Holdings Inc. | CBS | 10 units | $2,088,000 | 2025 |
| Meadowbrook Cottages Ltd. | Reidville | 4 units | $450,000 | 2025 |
| Reardon Properties Inc. | St. John’s | 20 units | $3,445,000 | 2026 |
| JEST Construction Inc. | Channel-Port Aux Basques | 16 units | $2,209,279 | 2026 |
| KMK Capital Holdings ULC | St. John’s | 72 units | $10,000,000 | 2026-27 |
| Long Harbour Holdings Inc. | St. John’s | 107 units | $10,000,000 | 2026-27 |
| Clovelly Development Limited Partnership | St. John’s | 210 units | $10,000,000 | 2027-28 |
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Canada and the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay today announced the official opening of 16 new affordable homes in the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. These homes, built through a federal investment of $5 million through the third phase of the Rapid Housing Initiative, are owned and operated as part of NL Housing’s rental housing portfolio, welcoming tenants in November and December 2024.
The announcement was made by Yvonne Jones, Member of Parliament for Labrador on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, alongside the Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Housing and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, and His Worship George Andrews, Mayor of Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
The 16 homes are located in four fourplex-style buildings on Brett Street and Lethbridge Street. Four of the homes are two-bedroom units while the other 12 are one-bedroom units, the areas of greatest demand.
Two of the ground level-units are fully wheelchair accessible, while the other six ground level units are visitable, with wider doors and no step entry. All 16 homes were built with universal design features, including widened exterior and interior doors and hallways and lever-type door handles and faucets. Energy efficiency is also a key element in the design and construction of the buildings.
Tenants will come from NL Housing’s existing prioritized waitlist, and rents will be geared-to-income at 25 per cent of the household’s net income. Tenants will also receive a heating subsidy.
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“We are pleased to officially open these new homes in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, which will support 16 individuals or families in need of affordable housing. Our government remains an open and willing partner with both the Federal Government and municipal governments looking to expand affordable housing throughout our province.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Housing
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
“Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. This investment, through the Rapid Housing Initiative, will provide stability and safety to those who need it the most. I’m proud that this major investment will help meet affordable housing needs here in Newfoundland and Labrador for decades to come. This is our government’s National Housing Strategy at work.”
Yvonne Jones
Member of Parliament for Labrador
“Everyone deserves a safe place to call home to live, raise a family, and build a future – including here in Lake Melville. This Rapid Housing Initiative, in combination with the National Strategy, will provide funding to help build new affordable homes – quickly. The attention on accessibility and inclusivity within the universal design of these 16 units will help towards ensuring no one gets left behind.”
Perry Trimper
Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier
Member of House of Legislative Assembly for Lake Melville
“With such a demand for affordable housing in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, it is great to see the completion of these 16 homes. This is a major investment in our community and provides a safe and stable place for individuals and families to grow and succeed. The 13th Council is thankful to have partnered with all parties involved and looks forward to continuing to work together on future initiatives.”
His Worship George Andrews
Mayor of Happy Valley Goose Bay
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Quick Facts
Housing challenges are escalating across Atlantic Canada, and advancing solutions to these challenges was the focus of yesterday’s meeting of the region’s housing ministers. The Atlantic Provincial Ministers remain eager to collaborate closely with the federal government to fulfill the commitments made during the last meeting in January with the Honourable Sean Fraser, Federal Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, including the development of a tailored framework for an Atlantic Innovation Initiative.
The Atlantic Ministers recognize that addressing the housing crisis requires a joint effort. They are committed to working together with the federal government to ensure that the substantial investments made by the provinces are matched by federal support. This partnership is vital to delivering the housing solutions Atlantic Canadians urgently need.
The Ministers emphasized the need for more frequent and focused collaboration with the federal government, noting that Atlantic Canadians cannot afford to wait while the housing crisis worsens. The federal government’s housing plan, while a step in the right direction, needs to be further refined to ensure fairness and flexibility so funding programs can address the unique needs of Atlantic Canada. The Atlantic Ministers are eager to see the shared commitments made in January translate into immediate, meaningful actions that are responsive to the specific housing market conditions of the region.
A targeted federal investment of $500 million is being proposed to meet the immediate housing needs across Atlantic Canada, a critical step toward ensuring all Atlantic Canadians have access to adequate housing.
Exploring Innovative Solutions to Common Barriers
The discussions focused on innovative solutions to accelerate development timelines, including pooling resources to test and scale up advanced construction techniques, investing in the growth of the Atlantic offsite construction industry, and addressing housing-related labour shortages by facilitating easier access to careers in the skilled trades. The provinces are seeking additional resources to make offsite construction a more viable option for new housing developments, including funding for pre-construction activities and the creation of standardized regional housing designs and tools.
An Invitation for Federal Collaboration
The Atlantic provinces are fully committed to regional collaboration and believe that, with a strong partnership with the federal government, they can effectively tackle the housing challenges facing the region. While the tools currently available have laid some groundwork, there is a clear need for new, region-specific programs to deliver immediate and effective housing solutions. The Atlantic Ministers are ready to engage in a renewed, strengthened partnership with the federal government to turn shared goals into tangible outcomes.
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“Yesterday’s meeting with our Atlantic colleagues reiterated our common goal and commitment to work together to create affordable housing in communities across the region as quickly as possible. The government of Newfoundland and Labrador remains focused on addressing the diverse housing needs throughout the province and welcomes the opportunity to continue advancing a regional approach to drive innovation and productivity to accelerate housing supply for the benefit of our residents and residents across the Atlantic region.”
Honourable John Abbott
Minister of Housing and Minster of Mental Health and Addictions, Newfoundland and Labrador
“Nova Scotia’s government is ready to move forward with bold initiatives, and we believe that working hand-in-hand with the federal government is the best path to success. We need to act now, not just for the future but for the immediate well-being of Nova Scotians and all Atlantic Canadians. Together, we can create solutions that truly address the unique needs of our region.”
Honourable John Lohr
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Nova Scotia
“Our government understands the urgent need for safe, affordable, and accessible housing for all New Brunswickers. We recognize the importance of being responsive to housing market changes and challenges – that’s why partnerships like this are imperative to solving the housing crunch. We will continue to build on our successes and ensure we’re laying a strong foundation for generations of New Brunswickers to come.”
Honourable Jill Green
Minister of Social Development and Minister Responsible for the New Brunswick Housing Corporation
“Through our provincial housing strategy, we are making significant investments to address the housing crisis, but we need co-operation and co-ordination at the local, regional and national level to help achieve our goals. By working closely with our federal partners and regional counterparts, we can pool our resources, align our strategies, and ensure that our initiatives effectively address the needs of all communities. We can do more together than we can separately.”
Honourable Rob Lantz
Minister of Housing, Land and Communities, Prince Edward Island
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The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Housing, today announced a $1.3 million investment toward the creation of a new Transitional Housing Initiative in Gander.
This funding includes a one-time investment of $430,000 to allow the Central Residential Services Board to purchase a property on Airport Boulevard for the initiative, as well as approximately $859,000 in operational funding.
The program will provide up to 15 individuals with transitional housing beds and supports. The Central Residential Services Board will oversee the operations of the facility, hire staff and manage day-to-day operations. Those living on site will be connected with services such as mental health and addictions support, life skills development, and assistance with finding stable housing.
Transitional housing refers to temporary, supportive accommodation that is meant to bridge the gap from homelessness to permanent housing. It is designed as a more stable living arrangement than emergency shelter, and residents benefit from structure, supervision and available supports.
This initiative is the second transitional housing initiative undertaken in the province this year. The Transitional Supportive Living Initiative at 106 Airport Road in St. John’s currently has 33 residents, and two residents have already moved out of the facility into more stable housing.
Quotes
“I want to thank the Central Residential Services Board and other members of the Housing and Homelessness Hub for their willingness to collaborate on solutions to address homelessness in the Central Region. As a government, we are proud to provide financial support that will improve outcomes for our most vulnerable residents, providing them with support and services that help them transition from emergency shelter to secure housing.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Housing
“As our province continues to address the need for transitional and supportive housing, we are very pleased that the vision of many community partners has been realized here in the District of Gander. The Housing and Homelessness Hub is to be commended for their tireless efforts to bring the need to the forefront and help achieve the change we are seeing today. This initiative will enhance lives and enrich our community.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs and MHA for Gander
“Our Board wishes to express sincere appreciation to everyone who recognized the significant need for transitional and supportive housing in the Central Region. This achievement is a testament to what true partnerships can achieve. We are pleased to stand with our partners today to celebrate the purchase of this new home.”
Lori Moulton
Executive Director, Central Residential Services Board
“The Town of Gander is pleased to see this investment in the form of a transitional house in the community. This represents an important piece of a complex and multifaceted housing puzzle. We also recognize that there is much work to be done and we look forward to continued collaboration with all levels of government and community partners to meet this challenge.”
His Worship Percy Farwell
Mayor of Gander
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Learn more
Provincial Government Releases Shelter Standards, Minister Available to Media
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