Strengthening Housing Partnerships to Support Vulnerable Populations

The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador today announced seven successful recipients of the Provincial Housing and Homelessness Partnership Fund.

Today’s investment of $1.5 million will strengthen partnerships within our communities that will help to address emerging provincial housing priorities while supporting the broad outcomes and objectives within the 10-year National Housing Strategy (NHS), launched in 2017.

Organizations and municipalities receiving funding are:

  • Salvation Army Center of Hope – $250,000
  • Stella’s Circle – $250,000
  • Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay – $250,000
  • Anglican Homes Inc. – $200,000
  • Qalipu Mi’Kmaq First Nation Band – $63,000
  • Central Residential Services Board – $200,000
  • City of St. John’s – $250,000

The Provincial Housing and Homelessness Partnership Fund is designed to support projects throughout the province which leverage partnerships and strengthen capacity of the community housing sector to provide housing options for low-income households.

Investments are intended to target vulnerable populations, including women and children fleeing domestic violence, Indigenous peoples, seniors, young adults, persons with disabilities, persons experiencing mental health and addictions issues, and persons experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness.

This investment also builds on the recently announced Canada Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Benefit. Through a cost-shared investment of $74.3 million, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation will expand the number of households receiving support to rent in the private market from 1,800 to over 2,600 by 2027-28.

The Canada Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Benefit will target households in severe core housing need and provide a direct housing affordability benefit to improve housing outcomes for some of our province’s most vulnerable populations.

Quotes
“Having a safe, comfortable and affordable home is something many of us take for granted yet not everyone is fortunate to have such circumstances. Through the Provincial Housing and Homelessness Partnership Fund, we are working with our federal, municipal, Indigenous and community partners, to building stronger communities and provide housing supports to those who need them most.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“The projects announced today through the Provincial Housing and Homelessness Partnership Fund are the result of great partnerships, working together to respond to housing and homelessness needs in our communities. This funding, along with the recently announced Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Benefit, builds on the work we have started to ensure all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have safe, stable and affordable housing.
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation

 “Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Through announcements such as this, we clearly see what collaboration can achieve. Together with our partners, our government is supplying the people of St. John’s and beyond with affordable housing and the peace of mind to raise their families in a safe and healthy environment. Congratulations to the successful proponents. Together, we are building hope and a better country that leaves no one behind.”
Honourable Ahmed Hussen
Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion and
Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

“Canada’s National Housing Strategy is providing affordable homes for the people of St. John’s South – Mount Pearl and across Newfoundland and Labrador. Through a collaborative ten year plan, we’re ensuring that our strategy helps our most vulnerable citizens first and foremost. Partnerships like the one we are celebrating here today are important to finding every Canadian a safe place to call home.”
Honourable Seamus O’Regan
Minister of Labour
Member of Parliament for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl

“The Salvation Army continues to partner with government to support the needs of our community. We are grateful today for this extension of support from the Federal and Provincial government that will enable us to provide accommodation for those needing a place to call home”.
Lt.-Colonel Eddie Vincent
Divisional Commander, The Salvation Army, Newfoundland and Labrador

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Learn more

Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation

National Housing Strategy

Follow us on Twitter @GovNL@CSSD_GovNL and @nlhousing

Like us on Facebook

Visit cmhc.ca or follow on TwitterInstagramYouTubeLinkedIn and Facebook.

 

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

Mikaela Harrison
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
mikaela.harrison@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Media Relations
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
media@cmhc.ca

Froude Avenue Building Receives Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification

Honourable John Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) is pleased to announce the Corporation’s recently constructed eight-unit building on Froude Avenue, St. John’s has been officially certified through the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ (RHFAC) Program.

Minister Abbott recently visited one of the families in their new home and heard first-hand the positive difference these construction design features can have in the lives of people with accessibility needs.

RHFAC is a national rating system launched in 2017 which helps measure the accessibility of buildings and sites based on a consistent methodology, and promotes increased access through the adoption of Universal Design principles.

The building includes four wheelchair-accessible, two-bedroom units on the main level, and four two-bedroom units on the second level. The Universal Design features used throughout the building include items such as:

  • ‘No step’ level entry building entrances;
  • Front door landing and rear deck/patio with a turning radius;
  • Widened exterior and interior doors and hallways;
  • Lowered casement windows with easy operating controls;
  • Lever-type door handles;
  • Lower kitchen counters;
  • Lower sink with accessible knee space;
  • Bathroom grab bars;
  • Bathroom clear turning radius; and
  • D‐pull handles on cabinets/drawers.

Ensuring all units in the building were energy efficient was a key element in design and construction. In addition to exceeding the National Building Code requirements for energy performance, the building also complied with the Provincial Government’s ‘Build Better Buildings’ policy. The property was also assessed under the EnerGuide for Homes rating system, confirming the units are energy efficient and will help reduce occupants’ energy costs.

Quotes
“I’m proud to say that in addition to receiving the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification, this development is the first multi-unit, residential building in Atlantic Canada to receive this designation. These construction features highlight the vision and skill of our NLHC team who planned and worked diligently to create these inclusive, energy-efficient and welcoming homes.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation

“Our new home has made a remarkable difference for our family. My daughter has been smiling since the day we moved in, thanks to the freedom and independence it offers her. I also want to thank NLHC’s staff who were incredibly helpful and made everything much easier for us.”
Clyde Driscoll
NLHC Tenant, Froude Avenue, St. John’s
 

Learn more

Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation

The Rick Hansen Foundation

Follow us on Twitter @GovNL@CSSD_GovNL and @nlhousing

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Media contacts
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca

Announcing the Canada – Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Benefit

Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. That is why the Government of Canada partnered with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to provide additional support to thousands of low-income households across the province.

Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl, and the Honourable John Abbott, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, announced an 8-year, $74.4 million investment in the Canada – Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Benefit (CA-NL HB) to support over 2,600 households across the province.

The Canada Housing Benefit is a National Housing Strategy program funded by the Government of Canada and cost-matched by Newfoundland and Labrador.
In addition, the CA-NL HB is intended to address rental instability among certain target groups such as women and children experiencing or at risk of domestic violence, seniors, Indigenous peoples, peoples with disabilities, those dealing with mental health and addiction issues, homeless individuals and those at risk of homelessness, racialized communities, veterans, young adults, among others.

Quotes
“Our Government is committed to ensuring that every Canadian has a safe and affordable place to call home and we recognize the long-standing need for predictable funding for housing. Today, we are taking another significant step toward our goal of building strong communities where the people of Newfoundland and Labrador continue to prosper and thrive, now and for generations to come.”
The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

“Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. This $74.4 million dollar investment will provide housing stability, combat homelessness and support those who need it most. This will improve the quality of life for people in our Province and give everyone an equal chance at success.”
The Honourable Seamus O’Regan Minister of Natural Resources, Member of Parliament for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl

“Through this partnership, which comes into effect in September 2021, we will provide access to safe, adequate, and affordable housing to over 2,600 low-income households over the next seven years. Working together with our federal partners, these investments will help to provide housing for many individuals and families — a place to call home — which is essential to their social, financial and physical well-being. Together we are making a real difference in lives of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”
The Honourable John Abbott, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation

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Learn more
As Canada’s authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC’s aim is that by 2030, everyone in Canada has a home they can afford, and that meets their needs. For more information, please visit cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.

To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @CSSD_GovNL

Media contacts
Michelle Hunt-Grouchy
Children, Seniors and Social Development
709-729-5148, 682-6593
michellehuntgrouchy@gov.nl.ca

Hafsah Asadullah
Communications Assistant
Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
hafsah.asadullah@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Media Relations
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
media@cmhc-schl.gc.ca

Federal-Provincial Governments Announce Funding to Support Housing Solutions for Vulnerable Populations

Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. That’s why the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador, through a partnership of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation and End Homelessness St. John’s,  are supporting 12 community organizations to extend COVID-19 responses to address the on-going needs of people experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness. These projects will focus on homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing and promotion of housing stability.

 

A combined investment of approximately $1 million will support the implementation of these 12 community-based projects, through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Bi-lateral Agreement under the National Housing Strategy, and Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy through Employment and Social Development Canada.

 

End Homelessness St. John’s issued a proposal call to the St. John’s Housing and Homelessness sector in March 2021, and the successful community organizations were selected through a joint review process. A list of community organizations receiving funding can be viewed in the back-grounder below. Projects have commenced with funding approved until March 31, 2022.

 

Today, the Provincial Government also launched a $1.5 million proposal call under the federal government’s National Housing Strategy through the Provincial Housing and Homelessness Partnership Fund. The fund is designed to support projects throughout the province which leverage partnerships and strengthen capacity of the community housing sector to provide housing options for low-income households. The fund targets supports to women and children fleeing domestic violence, Indigenous peoples, seniors, young adults, persons with disabilities, persons experiencing mental health and addictions issues, and persons experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness.

 

The fund is seeking proposals for partnerships from proponents, including Indigenous and non-profit organizations, and municipalities. Applications may be advanced under two funding streams: Capital Contributions stream or Creative and Innovative Solutions stream, with maximum one-time funding of $250,000 per project. Further information on the proposal call, including the funding application, can be found: Here. Applications close August 31, 2021.

 

This builds on the Government of Canada’s record of supporting housing projects across the country, and right here in Newfoundland and Labrador. This includes $5 million to build a minimum of 14 new permanent and affordable homes in St. John’s in the next 12 months, and $18.5 million in cost-shared funding with the Provincial Government, announced earlier this year to complete repairs to Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation’s social housing units in 2021-22 throughout the province, including vacancies requiring major repairs in order to be available to new tenants.  This includes repairs to reopen 10 homes in Labrador West and three homes in Nain for families in need. The Government of Canada is committed to providing safe, stable and affordable housing to give everyone a fair chance at success.

 

QUOTES

“Working together with our federal and community partners, these investments will help to secure safe, stable and affordable housing for many individuals and families – a place to call home – which is essential to their social, financial and physical well-being.  Together we are making a real difference in their lives.”

Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation

 

“Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. That’s why we are proud to partner in these important initiatives as we increase the supply of affordable housing and give peace of mind and stability to the families in Newfoundland and Labrador. When we strengthen our communities, we build hope and a better Canada. This is the National Housing Strategy at work.”

Honourable Ahmed Hussen
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

 

“Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. These 12 local projects will provide housing stability, combat homelessness and support those who need it most. This will improve the quality of life for people in our Province and give everyone an equal chance at success.”

Honourable Seamus O’Regan
Minister of Natural Resources
Member of Parliament for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl

 

“Aligning our investments with our provincial and federal partners provides the community with much needed additional resources to serve our most vulnerable neighbours. Investing in a wide-range of supports and services will no doubt lead to successful housing outcomes for those who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.”

Doug Pawson
Executive Director
End Homelessness St. John’s

 

Learn more

Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL@CSSD_GovNL and @nlhousing

Visit cmhc.ca or follow on TwitterInstagramYouTubeLinkedIn and Facebook.

To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.

 

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Media contacts

Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055

jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca

 

BACKGROUNDER

 

Community Organizations

Receiving Funds

Amount
Aids Committee NL $66,728
Choices for Youth $67,449
Connections for Seniors $161,477
Empower NL $53,130
First Light $75,645
Homestead $36,993
Iris Kirby House $120,226
John Howard Society $63,020
St. John’s Status of Women’s Council $63,695
Stella’s Circle $77,227
The Gathering Place $63,308
Thrive $130,133