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
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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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Media contacts
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
NGC Nunatsiavut Construction Inc. has been awarded a $2 million contract to undertake extensive exterior renovation and vacancy refurbishment on social housing units in Labrador City. This investment is cost-shared between the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador through NLHC.
This funding will support the renovation of 18 NLHC rental units located on Cavendish Crescent. Construction is set to begin early this spring. All the units will undergo major exterior renovation, including replacement of doors, windows, vinyl siding, roofing, as well as new exterior lighting and exterior wooden stair entrances.
Energy efficiency upgrades will include exterior insulation, increased attic insulation and all units will have new Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) systems installed. Each unit will also have an enhanced life-safety element through the installation of new inter-connected smoke alarm systems.
The contract also includes interior vacancy refurbishments on eight units and comprises items such as interior painting and new flooring installation. This work will build on existing interior vacancy refurbishment underway on another seven units.
The anticipated completion date for this project is February 2023.
Quotes
“Every Canadian deserves a safe place to call home. Today’s announcement in collaboration with our provincial partners is a testament of the crucial role these partnerships play. This renovation in Labrador City represents an important step forward in making sure that we have safe, appropriate, and affordable housing necessary for healthy and sustainable communities.”
Honourable Ahmed Hussen
Minister of Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
“This important work in Labrador West is part of a $17.5 million Federal/Provincial investment being made province-wide through the National Housing Strategy to help preserve, repair and ensure the sustainability of our social housing properties for our communities.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“Our partnership with the Federal Government is helping to make important investments in refurbishing social housing units on Cavendish Crescent in Labrador City. This contract is an example of the advances we can make to improve and sustain social housing properties under the National Housing Strategy.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs
“Access to adequate, affordable housing is the foundation for socio-economic success. It supports better education and health outcomes, better employment prospects and better community engagement and cohesion, not to mention economic growth and financial security. Our Government is committed to providing communities the support they need.”
Yvonne Jones
Member of Parliament for Labrador
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Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
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Arevig Afarian
Office of the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
arevig.afarian@infc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
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Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. Today, the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador announced a $300,000 investment to support individuals experiencing homelessness in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
This includes cost-shared funding of $200,000 under the National Housing Strategy, which will be provided to the Nunatsiavut Government to support the critical work of the Housing Hub emergency shelter. This investment will allow the creation of a “Housing Navigator” position at the Housing Hub to work with government and community partners to support individuals experiencing homelessness in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
The two-year initiative will primarily focus on improving coordination and integration of existing community supports at the shelter, as well as offering support to individuals experiencing homelessness through safe, affordable and stable housing.
Additionally, $100,000 is being provided to the Labrador Friendship Centre through an investment by the Community Housing Transformation Centre of $66,000 and a federal and provincial investment of $34,000 through the National Housing Strategy.
The Labrador Friendship Centre, working in collaboration with community partners in the homelessness sector, will use this funding to complete a community-led needs assessment. This will help identify opportunities for improved coordination of services and will also identify any gaps in infrastructure or services required to support the current and longer term needs of those experiencing or at risk of homelessness in the Happy Valley-Goose Bay area.
Participating in today’s announcement were the Honourable John Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation and Yvonne Jones, Member of Parliament for Labrador, on behalf of the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity.
Quotes
“The right to adequate housing is a fundamental human right. This is why, through the National Housing Strategy, we are providing a helping hand to those who are at risk of homelessness in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. In doing so, not only are we ensuring the most vulnerable secure safe housing, but are also contributing to the economic and social well-being of the community as a whole.”
Honourable Ahmed Hussen
Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion and
Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
“Everyone deserves to have a safe and affordable place to call home. Today’s announcement is a great example of the continued strong partnership between federal, provincial and Indigenous governments, working together with our community partners to address housing and homelessness needs throughout the province.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“When governments and community-based organizations work together to support individuals who are experiencing housing challenges, we can come up with initiatives that achieve positive outcomes.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs and
Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
“This funding will enable staff at the Housing Hub to better administer and coordinate programs and services to some of the most vulnerable in our society. The creation of a Housing Navigator position will assist these individuals by facilitating a more focused approach to secure permanent housing options.”
Honourable Gerald Asivak
Minister, Health and Social Development
Nunatsiavut Government
“Access to adequate, affordable housing is the foundation for socio-economic success. It supports better education and health outcomes, better employment prospects and better community engagement and cohesion, not to mention economic growth and financial security. Our Government is committed to providing communities the support they need.”
Yvonne Jones, Member of Parliament for Labrador
“Among the Centre’s key priorities are improving services for Indigenous people and supporting the growth of the community-housing sector. This project will help achieve both of these goals. A core part of our mission at the Centre is providing funds to assist community-housing providers to better meet the changing needs of their communities. This planning process is a vital first step to meeting the housing needs of residents in the region, and we are a proud partner in this joint initiative.”
Hope Jamieson
Program Manager – Newfoundland & Labrador
Community Housing Transformation Centre
“The Labrador Friendship Centre is excited to partake in this partnership with NLHC to ensure this important work can be completed in Upper Melville.”
Jennifer Elson
Executive Director
Labrador Friendship Centre
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Media contacts
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-schl.gc.ca