Today Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers responsible for Housing met face to face for the first time since 2018. Housing Ministers had the opportunity to share their successes, while identifying common-sense approaches to tackling challenges.
Ministers also met, in a separate meeting, with national Indigenous leaders and representatives to hear approaches to addressing housing needs of Indigenous people as identified by the national Indigenous leaders and representatives. Ministers remain committed to working with regional and local Indigenous organizations and partners to support housing solutions which are responsive to local needs.
Communities across Canada continue to face escalating home prices, increasing homelessness, and housing supply, affordability, and adequacy challenges. Ministers agreed to the importance of early and ongoing collaboration in the design and implementation of housing programs to achieve better solutions across the spectrum, from homelessness to market housing. Ministers discussed issues that demonstrate the unique characteristics of each jurisdiction. Ministers agreed solutions should be flexible and responsive to local needs in order to achieve the shared goal that all Canadians have housing that meets their needs. Minister Hussen committed $250 million in federal contributions through the National Housing Co-investment Fund to provinces and territories to support the renovation of more than 25,000 affordable housing units for vulnerable Canadians across the country.
Ministers also recognized that housing is critical to improving the health and social outcomes of Indigenous Peoples, regardless of where they live. Ministers agreed to continue working together with their respective Indigenous communities and partners, on the development of a federally funded Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy. The federal government has committed to invest $300 million over five years, starting in 2022-23, to co-develop a strategy with Indigenous Peoples to plan and construct accessible, safe, and affordable housing for Indigenous Peoples living in those regions.
Minister Hussen discussed federal homelessness investments through Budget 2022 in Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy, a Veterans Homelessness Program, and research about what further measures could contribute to eliminating chronic homelessness. During a roundtable, Ministers then discussed the federal commitment to work with partners to end chronic homelessness in Canada by 2030, shared updates on current initiatives, and discussed opportunities for increased collaboration across all orders of government to better align housing priorities and programs.
Quotes
“Everyone should have a safe and affordable place to call home. This week’s meeting between federal, provincial and territorial ministers demonstrates our shared commitment to achieving this goal. All orders of government, have a role to play in getting more housing built and supporting those in housing needs and our government will continue to build on our progress under the National Housing Strategy to ensure no one is left behind.”
The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, Government of Canada
“The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to host the federal, provincial and territorial ministers as we continue to work in collaboration towards ensuring all residents have a safe, stable and affordable place to call home. This is not possible without the work from community partners and other orders of government to develop new programs and initiatives that will support those in need of housing. Together, we will help families find a home that meets their needs where they can achieve their goals, become a part of their communities, and build their futures together as a family.”
The Honourable Gene Makowsky, Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, Government of Saskatchewan
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Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-730-5886
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Arevig Afarian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
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Government of Saskatchewan
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Today, the Governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada announced a $787,000 contract to develop a new four-unit, affordable residential housing building on Mesher Street in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Funding for the work, to be completed by Churchill Construction Ltd., is being equally cost-shared under the National Housing Strategy.
The four-unit building, will include 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 and 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. These homes will exceed the minimum energy performance requirements of the National Building Code with upgraded insulation and extensive air sealing. Additional features of the development include accessible parking and level access to the main floor units. The anticipated completion date for this project is February 2023.
Quotes
“This new construction will be a welcome addition to the community and highlights our government’s commitment to expand the number of energy efficient, accessible and affordable rental housing options for those most in need, throughout the province.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“Everyone in Canada deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Our government continues to create more affordable homes that meet the needs of individuals and families in Newfoundland and Labrador and across Canada. This is the National Housing Strategy at work.”
Honourable Ahmed Hussen
Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
“Canada’s National Housing Strategy is providing affordable homes for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and across the country. Through a collaborative ten-year plan, we’re ensuring that our strategy helps our most vulnerable citizens first and foremost. Actions like the one we are celebrating today ensure that every Canadian has a place to call their own.”
Yvonne Jones
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and to the Minister of Northern Affairs
Member of Parliament for Labrador
“Our government is working collaboratively with the Federal Government to address a wide range of housing needs, including the development of a new residential housing building in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. I am very pleased to see this positive development in response to a recognized need for additional housing. This affordable housing development will assist individuals and families who are looking for a place to call home.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs
Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
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Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Arevig Afarian
Office of the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
arevig.afarian@infc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
media@cmhc.ca
Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Today, the Provincial and Federal Governments announced $20.2 million to support the construction of 132 affordable housing options in St. John’s.
The announcement was made at The Gathering Place in St. John’s by the Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador; the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion; the Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change on behalf of the Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation; and Joanne Thompson, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East.
The Federal Government is investing over $10.9 million under the Rapid Housing Initiative and there is over $5.3 million cost shared equally by the Federal and Provincial Governments through the federal-provincial bilateral agreement under the National Housing Strategy. The Gathering Place is also providing a $4 million contribution.
With part of this total funding, the Gathering Place will operate 56 new supportive housing units and 40 new low-barrier emergency shelter beds, which will help address the need for housing and supportive services to assist individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
The remaining funding will enable the construction of 36 new homes that will be operated by the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. This investment will expand affordable housing options for individuals and families in low-income, which includes women and women with children, seniors, Indigenous persons, youth, persons with disabilities and those experiencing homelessness.
Today’s announcement highlights the strength of working together with federal and community partners to build stronger and healthier communities.
Quotes
“We recognize that having a safe and affordable home is vital to helping individuals and families build a stable and secure future. This significant investment will allow for a very welcome expansion of supportive and affordable housing in the St. John’s area. Today’s announcement highlights the strength of working together with our federal and community partners to build stronger and healthier communities.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“Access to safe and affordable housing is a key social determinant of health and underpins social and economic inclusivity. As a government, we remain committed to addressing the diverse housing needs in our province – from those at risk of or experiencing homelessness to individuals and families facing challenges with housing affordability.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“Everyone in Canada deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. This is why, through the National Housing Strategy, we are providing a helping hand to those who are at risk of homelessness in St. John’s. This is the National Housing Strategy at work.”
Hoourable Ahmed Hussen
Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion and
Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
“Newfoundland and Labrador needs more affordable housing. Budget 2022 makes it a priority. Because around here, we look out for one another. And everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home.”
Honourable Seamus O’Regan
Minister of Labour
Member of Parliament for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl
“Thanks to today’s announcement, we are providing a chance to members of our community who are struggling. Having access to safe, supportive and affordable homes will help bring a positive change to their lives and to the community. Through this collaboration with the province, we are helping to ensure that all people in St. John’s and across our province have safe and affordable housing that enables them to thrive.”
Joanne Thompson
Member of Parliament for St. John’s East.
“Through its everyday work with people who are facing systemic and societal barriers and far too often experience exclusion and discrimination, The Gathering Place has heard the plea for more supportive and affordable housing units and for a permanent low barrier emergency shelter. This partnership announced today shows that we have truly heard the voices of the guests and other persons at risk of homelessness in our community. With a generous gift of two million dollars from Patrick O’Callaghan and Paula Bouchier, and the support of the Federal and Provincial Governments, the dream of more support for persons without safe, stable, and permanent homes is being realized.”
Sister Elizabeth Davis, RSM
Board Chair, The Gathering Place
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Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca
Daniele Medlej
Office of the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
Daniele.Medlej@infc.gc.ca
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Media Relations
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
media@cmhc-schl.gc.ca
The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation, and the Honourable John Abbott, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, today provided an update on the work of the Action Team and the coordination of supports for vulnerable populations in Happy Valley-Goose Bay who are experiencing homelessness.
The Action Team was convened in May 2021 to focus attention on vulnerable populations in Happy Valley-Goose Bay who are experiencing, or at risk of homelessness. Representation on the Action Team includes Indigenous Governments and Organizations, community partners, RCMP, the regional health authority, and Government departments and agencies.
A coordinated and collaborative approach has been adopted by Action Team members to address housing, health and other supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness. The team discussions, which are held on a regular basis, are chaired by the Labrador Affairs Secretariat and supported by the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.
The Provincial Government is proud to work alongside our Indigenous and community partners in this effort and acknowledges the hard work and progress that is being achieved to meet the challenges.
The Action Team update is available at this link.
Quotes
“The update from the Action Team provides a good overview of the collaborative work that has been undertaken by members of the Action Team to coordinate supports and services for vulnerable populations. The Action Team is dealing with a complex situation, but their efforts are showing progress. The advances that have been made by the Action Team demonstrate that the challenges facing individuals who are homeless or require housing are best addressed through a community-led approach.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs
Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
“Strong partnerships between federal, provincial, municipal, and Indigenous governments, and community partners is key to finding meaningful solutions to address housing and homelessness needs. We remain committed to working with all of our partners on the Action Team, to develop current and longer term responses to homelessness in the Happy Valley-Goose Bay region.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
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Allan Bock
Labrador Affairs Secretariat
709-899-6446
AllanBock@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca