Yesterday, federal, provincial, and territorial ministers responsible for housing met in Vancouver, British Columbia, to discuss solutions to key housing and homelessness issues facing people in Canada.
Co-chaired by the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Canada’s Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, and the Honourable Bernadette Smith, Manitoba’s Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness, the meeting of the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Forum on Housing focused on a coordinated approach to advancing housing and homelessness priorities and strengthening collaboration to meet pressing and evolving needs across the country.
Amongst the most critical issues facing the country is the shortage of affordable housing, and the severity of homelessness that requires expanding deeply affordable, supportive and transitional housing. The housing crisis is multi-faceted, leading to a complex and rapidly evolving environment – one that demands a strengthened partnership between jurisdictions and collaboration across sectors, such as trade, labour, urban planning, to break down barriers to accelerate housing supply and increase affordability.
Ministers acknowledge the positive impact of the nearly $16 billion in joint federal, provincial, and territorial investments under the National Housing Strategy, which have supported over 600,000 households across the country. With the expiry of the bilateral agreements under the National Housing Strategy in 2028, Ministers committed to renewing the federal, provincial and territorial housing partnership to ensure ongoing support for affordable housing. (Note: Although it shares several objectives of other governments, Québec has not endorsed the multilateral housing partnership framework and signed its bilateral agreement outside of the National Housing Strategy.)
Building on commitments made through the National Housing Strategy and at the First Ministers’ Meeting in June 2025, Ministers agreed to keep working together to build a strong economy and advance innovative projects of importance for Canada, with provincial and territorial lenses, that can enable an increase in the supply of housing across the country, including affordable housing.
Ministers also committed to working together on five priorities aimed at improving housing outcomes across the country:
Ministers concluded the meeting with a commitment to ongoing collaboration, regular engagement, and collective action to address Canada’s housing crisis through the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Forum on Housing.
Minister Smith announced that as Manitoba’s two-year term as provincial/territorial co-chair of the Federal, Provincial, Territorial Forum on Housing will come to an end in December 2025, Ontario will assume the next two-year provincial/territorial co-chair term beginning in January 2026.
Quotes
“We are taking a Team Canada approach to transforming our housing systems and making housing more affordable across the country. This meeting is part of our commitment to building bold, building strong, and building together alongside provinces and territories.”
Honourable Gregor Robertson
Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada, Government of Canada
“As primary partners in housing, provinces and territories are committed to continue working with the Federal Government to increase access to housing where needed most, and we are encouraged by today’s discussion regarding renewing partnerships on affordable housing beyond the expiry of the National Housing Strategy. All provinces and territories, including Manitoba, have unique housing needs and we look forward to expediting these conversations as we work collaboratively with our federal partners on a renewed vision for housing.”
Honourable Bernadette Smith
Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness, Government of Manitoba
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Learn more
Federal, Provincial and Territorial Forum on Housing
First Ministers’ statement on building a strong Canadian economy and advancing major projects
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BACKGROUNDER
In 2018, ministers responsible for housing endorsed a multilateral Housing Partnership Framework, which recognizes federal, provincial and territorial governments as primary partners in housing. The framework asserts a shared vision for housing and sets the foundation for the delivery of key National Housing Strategy (NHS) initiatives.
The Federal, Provincial, and Territorial (FPT) Forum on Housing is the primary intergovernmental forum to discuss housing policy and program design, as well as monitor and evaluate the state of housing in Canada. The Forum also provides opportunities to discuss the assessment of NHS effectiveness and shared knowledge to inform decision-making and priority setting by each government, as well as adjustments to FPT agreements where appropriate.
Building on continued interest from developers, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation today launched a second request for proposals (RFP) under the Affordable Rental Housing Program.
In November 2023, NLHC approved more than $80 million for private and community sector projects through the first round of the program. Construction under the program is well underway, including:
The second round of the RFP will reallocate $13 million which was originally allocated in the first round to projects that are no longer proceeding. Priority for this round may be given to “shovel-ready” projects to advance builds as quickly as possible.
The Affordable Rental Housing Program provides one-time capital funding in the form of a forgivable loan to support the development of new affordable rental homes throughout the province.
Homes developed through the private stream must remain at affordable rates set by the NLHC for between 15 and 20 years, and be rented to individuals or families with a maximum household income of $42,000. Developers receive between $55,000 and $95,000 per unit, based on a number of incentive criteria, including the affordability period they select. Construction should be completed by the fall of 2027.
Homes funded through the community stream must remain at affordable rates for 25 to 30 years, and be rented to individuals or families with a maximum household income of $38,000. Available funding per unit can range from $120,000 to $180,000.
Quote
“Under the Affordable Rental Housing Program, hundreds of new affordable homes are going up in communities around the province. By launching this second round, we are allowing builders another opportunity to avail of NLHC support to grow our affordable housing stock. We are excited to move forward with this program, helping both private and community sector groups to participate further in this successful initiative.”
Honourable Jamie Korab
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
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Learn more
Affordable Rental Housing Program
Hundreds of Homes Going Up Through the Affordable Rental Housing Program
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As part of the Provincial Government’s continued efforts to help those experiencing homelessness break the cycle and achieve housing stability, a request for proposals (RFP) was issued today for the creation of a new Transitional and Supportive Living Program in St. John’s.
The RFP is seeking a partner or partners to create and operate 60 units of transitional and supportive housing. Transitional spaces aim to foster a transition from chronic homelessness in emergency shelter to sustainable independent living, while supportive living spaces are for individuals who require longer-term supports such as personal care, meals, housekeeping and social and recreational activities. The successful proponent will propose the specific mix of transitional and supportive spaces, with no less than 20 units of either type.
The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, will be available to media at 2:30 p.m. today (Friday, August 8) to discuss the transitional and supportive living RFP. This media availability will take place at the NLHC offices, 2 Canada Drive, St. John’s.
The successful operator(s) will work in partnership with Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation and local service providers to complement current service offerings while providing wrap-around supports on site. This will include a range of programming, including housing readiness, life skills development and social supports. It will also include the continued collaboration with NL Health Services through the Downtown Collaborative Health Care Team, which provides health care supports designed for vulnerable and marginalized populations.
This RFP is the next phase in a process that started in January 2024 with the creation of a temporary Transitional and Supportive Living Initiative, which came to be known as Horizons at 106 under operator End Homelessness St. John’s. Through this partnership, Horizons has welcomed over 120 people experiencing chronic homelessness – 25 of whom have moved from the program into more stable housing within the community.
Once this RFP is awarded and a new permanent program is established, it will replace Horizons at 106. The work of Horizons will continue until that time, and it is anticipated that more individuals will be supported to transition out of the program prior to this shift. The successful bidder will work with End Homelessness St. John’s and NLHC to help those who remain transition into other supportive arrangements.
The Provincial Government is also working with End Homelessness St. John’s to expand its HomeConnect program, which connects tenants who have experienced homelessness with participating landlords. The program creates successful tenancies by identifying barriers to housing stability and ensuring supports are in place to address them.
Quotes
“As we move forward into the next step of this process, we have learned much about the opportunities and challenges of transitional and supportive living. We will apply these learnings in this new program, and will look to continue the early successes of Horizons at 106 in support of our most vulnerable populations.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“NL Health Services is committed to providing team-based health care to all individuals, regardless of their living situation or location. We look forward to continuing to provide health care supports through the Downtown Collaborative Health Care Team and working with government and community partners in support of our vision of ‘Health and Well-Being. Every Person. Every Community.’”
Ron Johnson
Chief Operating Officer – Eastern Zones, NL Health Services
“HomeConnect is a vital pathway to permanent housing for individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness, offering stable tenancies alongside the supports people need to thrive. It works because it’s grounded in community partnerships and housing-first principles. But as the need continues to grow, so must our collective capacity. Everyone in St. John’s deserves a safe place to call home – and that requires sustained investment and commitment from all of us. We look forward to working with government to expand this vital program.”
Doug Pawson
Executive Director, End Homelessness St. John’s
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Learn more
Request for Proposals
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BACKGROUNDER
Housing, Transitional and Supportive Living Housing and Emergency Shelter Development in St. John’s and Throughout the Province
Since 2023, the Provincial Government has made record investments to address housing needs throughout the province. Investments have focused on three key areas:
In St. John’s and the metro area, the results of this approach include:
The Provincial Government is also continuing to invest in affordable housing, as well as transitional and supportive housing projects provincewide. Some notable projects include:
As part of NL Housing’s commitment to helping community sector partners develop affordable housing, seven more projects are receiving funding through the Newfoundland and Labrador Community Housing Growth Fund.
A total of $310,000 was awarded for pre-development costs to make it easier to advance community-based projects. Projects receiving funding include:
These seven projects bring total number funded so far by the Community Housing Growth Fund to 15. The fund supports community organizations and registered charities with funding for planning and pre-development work for affordable housing projects, where the absence of this funding could be a barrier to the projects’ advancement.
Many of these projects are also conditionally approved for funding under the Provincial Government’s Affordable Rental Housing Program. Budget 2025 includes $32 million for projects under the Affordable Rental Housing Program, part of an overall $82 million that will result in the construction of approximately 800 homes. Over 180 homes are already under construction or completed through this program, with further construction anticipated to start this summer.
The Community Housing Growth Fund was created in 2024 by the Provincial Government and the national Community Housing Transformation Centre. The $1.5 million invested in the fund includes $1.25 million from the Provincial Government and $250,000 from the Centre. Funding is still available, and groups interested in applying for support can visit the Centre’s website.
Quote
“I would encourage organizations throughout Newfoundland and Labrador to consider applying for funding from the Community Housing Growth Fund to help pre-development planning. This fund helps organizations cover costs that arise early on in a project, and we want to reduce barriers and maximize housing initiatives across the province.”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Acting Minister of Housing
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Learn more
Budget 2025: Smarter. Stronger. Better
More Projects Approved under Newfoundland and Labrador Community Housing Growth Fund
Funding Approved for Three Projects Through Newfoundland and Labrador Community Housing Growth Fund
Provincial Government Partnership to Support Growth of the Community Housing Sector
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