The Provincial Government, through the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, has issued a request for quotations for repairs and renovations to provincially-owned vacant units. The repairs and renovations will be supported by an additional $3 million investment, bringing the total amount allocated to close to $6 million.
The repairs to the approximately 143 vacant units align with the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation’s unwavering commitment to providing access to safe and affordable housing options to its clients. The present request for quotations is in addition to the more than $15 million invested since 2021 to repair and revitalize over 2,000 provincially-owned homes throughout the province.
This investment is also in addition to the more than 750 new public housing options that have been advanced over the last two years, and the $140 million record high investment in housing in Budget 2023.
Through the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, the province has supported more than 2,000 individuals and families to access permanent housing over the last two years, along with expansion either completed or underway of:
Quotes
“Reflected by the largest-ever investment in public housing in our province’s history in Budget 2023, our government is fully committed to creating access to safe and affordable housing options. Our investment to repair vacant units complements the many ongoing actions that we are advancing to support residents in need of public housing, and will help alleviate some of the pressures presently being experienced.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“Across Canada, and around the world, there are considerable pressures for individuals and families to secure safe and accessible housing. We have been actively working with our partners in the community and with other levels of government to take tangible and meaningful actions to build capacity and create new homes for residents in need.”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation and Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
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Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
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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
The following is a breakdown by region of the vacant units to be repaired:
| Region | Units to be Repaired |
| Eastern | 85 |
| Central | 15 |
| Western | 12 |
| Labrador | 31 |
| Total | 143 |
The Provincial Government offers Newfoundlanders and Labradorians experiencing challenges with securing access to housing a range of supports and services. Anyone seeking assistance in completing the necessary applications for affordable housing are encouraged to avail of these resources.
Over the last week, officials from the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services’ Harm Reduction Team, have joined community partners on multiple occasions, to visit individuals currently requesting housing supports on Prince Philip Drive. The intent of all of these interactions has been to acquire an understanding of the needs of the individuals and link them with available housing services.
As part of these efforts:
As a result of these directed efforts, some individuals have secured housing and accepted placement in shelters to receive the necessary supports to secure more permanent housing.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, along with other government departments and community partners are continuing efforts to secure more permanent housing options for others at the site.
Along with engaging with staff visiting the Prince Philip Drive location, other available options for individuals seeking supports to obtain housing include:
Anyone looking to support individuals on site in completing the necessary applications can access them here.
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Media contact
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-729-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Seven families are moving into newly constructed affordable housing units, six on Brown Crescent in Gander and one in Peterview. The $1.52 million investment for the new housing developments was made possible through the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Bilateral Agreement on Housing through the National Housing Strategy. These homes will be owned and operated by the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.
On behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, federal Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, Churence Rogers, Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Burin-Trinity was present along with the Honourable Paul Pike, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. They were joined by the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs and MHA for Gander and His Worship Percy Farwell, Mayor of the Town of Gander.
The six new homes in Gander are a mix of one and two-bedroom units, and include three fully-accessible ground floor units. The new building in Peterview is a one-unit, two-bedroom ground level home. Universal design features are incorporated throughout all seven homes. Energy efficiency and sustainability were also key elements in the design and construction of these homes.
EJB Contracting Ltd. and Blanchard’s Timber Mart were awarded the contract to undertake the development of the six units in Gander, and the Peterview unit was built by R & D Construction Ltd.
Quotes
“Safe and affordable housing – a place to call home – is key to improving social and economic outcomes for individuals, families and our communities. We are excited today to be opening seven new homes where families can live and build a stable and secure future in their community. We look forward our continued work with our federal and municipal partners in addressing housing needs throughout the province.”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“Today’s announcement builds on the strong partnership between the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Through our shared dedication and combined efforts, we are getting more homes built for Canadians.”
The Honourable Sean Fraser
Federal Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
“Access to affordable housing is so important and this partnership brings us closer to that goal. I am pleased to see that together with the province, we’re making progress to find Canadians safe and affordable places to call home. Both here in Newfoundland and Labrador and country-wide.”
Churence Rogers
Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Burin-Trinity
“We are very pleased to be a partner in this development, which has helped to increase the supply of affordable housing options here in the Gander region. Access to such housing is a key social determinant of health and promotes social and economic inclusivity.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs and MHA for Gander
“This initiative marks an important initial step in a comprehensive plan to address housing challenges in Gander. Housing plays a foundational role in shaping a growing community that is inclusive, where all residents have access to safe, accessible, and affordable homes. We are grateful to the NLHC and the Government of Canada for their support with this investment. Building on this initial milestone, we will continue to actively pursue and support opportunities to strengthen our housing infrastructure, forging a better Gander for all.”
His Worship Percy Farwell
Mayor of the Town of Gander
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Learn more
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
National Housing Strategy
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
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Media contacts
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-730-5886
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Media Relations
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
media@cmhc-schl.gc.ca
Today, Joanne Thompson, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Paul Pike, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), and Danny Breen, Mayor for the City of St. John’s announced $5 million in funding for St. John’s, one of the 41 recipients of the third round of the Rapid Housing Initiative’s (RHI) Phase 3 Cities Stream.
As part of its Investment Plan for the Cities Stream, the City of St. John’s awarded the funding to Stella’s Circle who will renovate a former office building into 15 new homes for women who are experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic abuse and/or may have had prior involvement with the criminal justice system.
The projects are comprised of:
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, through the NLHC, contributed $800,000 in funding towards this project.
This is made possible by the Government of Canada’s additional investment of $1.5 billion through RHI, bringing the program’s total to $4 billion to support the country’s most vulnerable. The additional funding for the third round of RHI 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 5,000 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 total number of units created with all three phases of the RHI is now over 15,500 across Canada.
Also included in today’s announcement, is a combined $6.1 million investment that will create a total of 20 new homes through the Rapid Housing Initiative Phase 2.
Six new affordable homes are complete and operational in St. John’s thanks to Stella’s Circle. Four of the homes are reserved for individuals receiving services connected to the Stella’s Circle Community Support Program (CSP), of which one home will be reserved for women. The other two homes will be reserved for women who are receiving counselling and support services through the Just Us Women’s Centre.
Funding provided for this project is as follows:
The Young Parents Resource Centre, completed, operational and fully occupied, is an upstream approach to target at-risk, young women (ages 16 to 29), pregnant young women and parenting young women and their children. This development used traditional construction to build the 14-unit complex (four one-bedroom units and 10 two-bedroom units). Six units are accessible and the project will achieve high energy efficiency targets. Program supports for tenants will be offered through the existing Momma Moments program, a strengths-based program at Choices for Youth that provides family first oriented supports. The program supports at-risk young pregnant and parenting mothers between the ages of 16-29.
Investments provided for this project are as follows:
Quotes
“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 St. John’s. We are working closely with our partners to create more affordable housing that meets the needs of Canadians.”
Honourable Sean Fraser
Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
“Funding renovation and retrofit projects like these ones are a great way to get the local economy moving, because it puts construction workers and tradespeople to work quickly. At the same time, we’re improving the quality of life for residents of St. John’s, keeping their homes safe and affordable.
Joanne Thompson
Member of Parliament for St. John’s East
“Access to a safe and affordable home is important to helping individuals and families build a stable and secure future. Today’s announcement highlights the strength of working together with our federal, municipal, and community partners to address diverse housing needs throughout the province and to build stronger and healthier communities.”
Honourable Paul Pike, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“The City of St. John’s is pleased to be administering this important fund. By working collaboratively, we are addressing an urgent need, creating 35 affordable homes quickly in our community.”
Danny Breen
Mayor for the City of St. John’s
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Learn more
RHI3 and Eligibility Criteria
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
National Housing Strategy
Housing Funding Initiatives Map
Media contacts
Kevin Collins
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
kevin.collins@infc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
media@cmhc-schl.gc.ca
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-730-5886
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Quick facts