The Honourable Paul Pike, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), toured the new Safe Haven Emergency Shelter in St. John’s yesterday.
In partnership with the Anglican Church of the Good Samaritan, the Safe Haven Shelter will provide a 40-bed staffed emergency shelter and an additional warming centre to accommodate up to 30 people in the winter months. Both will specifically serve the male population.
The shelter will operate as an overnight shelter between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m., and will be managed across two large rooms with dedicated staff and security on site. Provincial funding of approximately $2 million is being provided through NLHC to operate the shelter.
Safe Haven was the successful proponent of a provincial Request for Proposals issued by NLHC on January 31, 2023, for low-barrier shelter services. The facility will accommodate an estimated 40 clients and operate from a harm reduction approach which serves individuals experiencing homelessness without judgement or preconditions of wellness or sobriety.
Individuals that are engaged in housing readiness and housing search services will be provided access to case managers and housing support staff during the day. The facility also has capacity and designated space to offer up to an additional 30-person warming centre, as may be needed, during the colder months.
This new shelter option will increase government’s ability to direct placements to a staffed shelter with appropriate supports and referrals.
Quotes
“The new Safe Haven Emergency Shelter, a low-barrier shelter for the St. John’s area, is a much welcomed addition to the community, and will complement existing services. The new facility will help address growing demands and further contribute to our collective efforts to support individuals to transition from shelter to more stable housing options. This response is a great example of strong partnerships between community and government, coming together with a shared focus and an overall goal of well-being and improving client outcomes.”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“Safe Haven Housing is excited to further our partnership with NLHC and the Good Samaritan Anglican Church. The opening of our male 40-bed emergency shelter and 30 bed warming center at 10 St Clare Ave will create an overnight model that will focus on harm reduction and supportive planning to move clients across the housing continuum. This opportunity will allow us to work with the most complex and marginalized clients in the community and provide a low-barrier space that can feel welcoming and safe.”
Ashley Bensaid
Executive Director, Safe Haven Shelter Services
“As we recognize the tremendous need for emergency shelter, The Anglican Church of the Good Samaritan is very pleased to partner with Safe Haven Housing to provide the second level of the church, which can house up to 40 homeless men and a 30-person warming centre. We believe that this is a wonderful use of our church building, and forwards the very purposes for which the Christian church exists.”
The Ven. Dr. Darrell Critch
Rector, Church of the Good Samaritan
Territorial Archdeacon, Eastern Canada
-30-
Learn more
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
Follow us on Twitter @GovNL, @CSSD_GovNL and @NLHousing
Like us on Facebook
Media contacts
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-730-5886
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Ashley Bensaid
Safe Haven Emergency Shelter
709-727-0043
bensaidhousing@gmail.com
The Ven. Dr. Darrell Critch
Rector, Church of the Good Samaritan
709-730-4641
As part of the heightened focus to improve access to affordable housing, the Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador visited Labrador West today, where he met with community leaders to discuss the many important housing initiatives underway in that region, along with the emergent housing needs.
Premier Furey was joined by the Honourable Paul Pike, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, and the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Labrador Affairs.
Budget 2023 includes the largest provincial housing investment in our history, with almost $140 million to provide Newfoundlanders and Labradorians access to safe and affordable housing. Over the last two years, more than 750 new housing options have been created or are underway throughout the province. Budget 2023 also announced a new, three-year, $70 million Affordable Rental Housing Program to build over 850 new rental homes, which was launched in June.
Through strong partnerships with federal and municipal governments and community partners, we remain committed to investing in housing initiatives in the Labrador West region. These include:
Quotes
“Our government is firmly committed to addressing housing needs in Labrador West and helping to ensure that everyone has a safe and affordable place to call home. These initiatives are a great example of our strong partnership with federal, municipal and community partners. Together, we will continue our important work of building strong and resilient communities here in Labrador West.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“A safe and affordable home is the cornerstone of social and economic growth and overall health and well-being. We look forward to continuing to work with our valued partners to create safe, affordable and inclusive communities in Labrador West, and to ensure supports for all residents, from young families to seniors. ”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“Housing initiatives contribute directly to achieving progress on socio-economic goals and we know investment in housing is a driver of economic growth and community development. Our government is committed to partnering with all stakeholders to help make real progress on housing challenges in Labrador West.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister for Labrador Affairs
-30-
Learn more
Newfoundland and Labrador 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
709-730-5886
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Allan Bock
Labrador Affairs
709-896-7935; 709-899-6446
allanbock@gov.nl.ca
The Honourable Paul Pike, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, and Yvonne Jones, Member of Parliament for Labrador, on behalf of the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, today announced the official opening of four new affordable homes on 30 Mesher Street in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Minister Pike and MP Jones were joined at the announcement by Perry Trimper, MHA for Lake Melville.
Total funding for the new development is approximately $787,000 in equally cost-shared federal and provincial funding, through the Canada-Newfoundland Labrador Bilateral Housing Agreement under the National Housing Strategy.
Built by Churchill Construction Ltd., the four-unit building includes two fully wheelchair-accessible, one-bedroom units on the main level and two one-bedroom units on the second level. The main floor units include roll-in showers, wheelchair accessible kitchens and ‘no step’ entrances.
Universal Design features are incorporated throughout the property and include items such as widened exterior and interior doors and hallways, and lever-type door handles and faucets. Energy efficiency and sustainability are also key elements in the design and construction of the building.
Quotes
“Today’s announcement is a great example of how we can work together with our federal and municipal partners to expand the supply of safe, stable and affordable housing here in our province. Access to such housing is a key social determinant of health, and promotes social and economic inclusivity.”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. By working closely with partners, we are creating four units of affordable housing for those who need it most throughout Labrador. Today’s announcement is a step forward in our ongoing efforts to deliver meaningful results and increased affordability for Canadians. This is just one of the many ways our government’s National Housing Strategy is ensuring no one is left behind.”
Honourable Ahmed Hussen
Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
“Access to housing is a human right and is essential to one’s sense of dignity, safety and inclusion. This project is yet another example of what can be achieved when all orders of government work together. Through this collaboration with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Federal Government is taking concrete steps to help ensure that the most vulnerable people living in Labrador have safe and affordable housing that allows them to thrive.”
Yvonne Jones
Member of Parliament for Labrador
“I am pleased to see that the new four-unit building on Mesher Street has been completed and is ready for occupancy. Congratulations to the Federal Government and the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation for advancing this project under the National Housing Strategy, and to Churchill Construction for its construction skills and expertise.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Labrador Affairs
Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
“The completion of this important project now represents the start of new lives for the four families that will occupy these units. I am excited for the new tenants and want to recognize the financial contribution of the Provincial and Federal Governments, and the quality work by Churchill Construction Ltd.”
Perry Trimper
MHA for Lake Melville
-30-
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
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Allan Bock
Labrador Affairs
709-896-7935
allanbock@gov.nl.ca
Shiraz Keushgerian
Office of the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
shiraz.keushgerian@infc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
media@cmhc.ca
Today, the Honourable Paul Pike, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, and Yvonne Jones, Member of Parliament for Labrador, on behalf of the Honourable Amhed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, His Worship George Andrews, Mayor of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and Perry Trimper, MHA for Lake Melville, announced $5 million in funding for Happy Valley-Goose Bay, one of the 41 recipients of the third round of the Rapid Housing Initiative’s city stream.
As part of its investment plan for the Cities Stream, the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay has partnered with Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) for the construction of 16 new affordable housing units. These units will be owned and operated by NLHC. Clients will come from NLHC’s existing prioritized waitlist, and rents will be geared-to-income at 25 per cent of net income. NLHC will provide funding for the on-going operations, as well as annual heating subsidies to tenants.
This is made possible by the Government of Canada’s additional investment of $1.5 billion through the Rapid Housing Initiative, bringing the program’s total to $4 billion to support the country’s most vulnerable. The additional funding for the third round of the initiative will be divided into two streams: $1 billion through the Projects Stream and $500 million towards the Cities Stream. This investment is expected to create at least 4,500 more affordable housing units for Canadians in severe housing need across the country, with 25 per cent of investments going towards women-focused housing projects.
The Rapid Housing Initiative takes a human rights-based approach to housing, serving people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and other vulnerable people under the National Housing Strategy, including women and children fleeing domestic violence, seniors, young adults, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, people experiencing mental health and addiction issues, veterans, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, racialized groups and recent immigrants or refugees.
Quotes
“Today’s announcement truly highlights the strength of partnerships. By working collaboratively with our federal and municipal partners, we are increasing access to safe and affordable homes and helping individuals and families build a stable and secure future.”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Through the Rapid Housing Initiative, we are quickly providing new affordable housing units for people who need them most, right across Canada, including right here in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. By working closely with our partners to create more affordable housing that meets the needs of Canadians, the government is continuing to deliver meaningful results across the country. This is one of the many ways our National Housing Strategy continues to ensure no one is left behind.”
Honourable Ahmed Hussen
Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
“The Government is investing in affordable housing here in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and across Canada to help create jobs and improve the quality of life for those who need it most. Thanks to the combined efforts of our partners, we are able to give a helping hand to individuals in need, and in doing so, we are contributing to the economic and social well-being of the entire community.”
Yvonne Jones
Member of Parliament for Labrador
“We are extremely pleased to be bringing 16 new affordable housing units to our community. This will go a long way to help address affordable housing concerns in our community.”
His Worship George Andrews
Mayor of Happy Valley-Goose Bay
“I commend the Federal Government and its partnership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation and the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay for the construction of new affordable housing units in the community. The units will help address the needs experienced by individuals who need a place that they can call their own.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Labrador Affairs
Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
“The housing needs in Happy Valley-Goose Bay are complex, and have been quite prevalent – requiring substantial investment to address, such as with the scale of this Rapid Housing Initiative. I am pleased to see the community recognized in this national program and compliment all those involved in this successful proposal.”
Perry Trimper
MHA for Lake Melville
-30-
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
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Allan Bock
Labrador Affairs
709-896-7935
allanbock@gov.nl.ca
Shiraz Keushgerian
Office of the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
shiraz.keushgerian@infc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
media@cmhc.ca