The Provincial Government, via the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, is today releasing a Request for Proposals to retain a prime consultant to oversee the design and construction of a new integrated health, housing, and supportive services hub in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The new hub will provide emergency shelter, transitional and supportive housing in a safe and culturally appropriate environment where individuals experiencing homelessness have access to necessary supports.
The preliminary design for the new facility includes:
The proposed location for the new integrated hub is 264 Hamilton River Road, site of former tree nursery. This is a large section of Crown land that is close to important services and can accommodate the building’s footprint.
The preliminary design for the new hub was developed in partnership with members of the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Action Team, comprised of representatives from Federal, Provincial and Indigenous Governments and Organizations, and community partners in the housing and homelessness sector and mental health and addictions services in the region. The collaborative work over the past two years draws on expertise in this area which acknowledges the importance of bringing health, housing, and other supportive services together to meet people where they are, improve access to these supports, and provide individualized and client-centered supports to individuals experiencing homelessness. The current emergency shelter and overflow shelter response will transition to the new integrated hub with appropriate staff and access to programming.
Consultation sessions with community stakeholders were held in Happy Valley – Goose Bay in spring and summer of 2022. The objective of these sessions was to identify gaps in services, partnership opportunities, design considerations for the building plan and program offerings. Public information sessions were held in November 2022 and provided an important opportunity to share the preliminary concept, design and proposed site location with the community. This next phase of the project will advance detailed design and site considerations, as well as provide ongoing opportunities for public consultation. To learn more about the proposed new hub, visit hvgbhub.ca.
The request for proposals can be accessed by visiting Merx.com (Reference Number 0000251961).
Quotes
“Providing vulnerable persons with safe, secure housing with supports is a ‘Housing First’ best practice and a proven approach to addressing homelessness. We look forward to advancing the detailed design of the new integrated hub in consultation with our partners and the community.”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“This initiative is a direct response to addressing chronic homelessness in the Happy Valley-Goose Bay area. The new integrated hub is intended to provide a more appropriate and staffed emergency shelter response for the area, address current gaps and bring together housing options, along with health and other wrap-around services to provide holistic, culturally appropriate and client-centered supports.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Labrador Affairs and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
“As a government we remain committed to working together with community partners, Labrador-Grenfell Health Zone, Indigenous Governments and Organizations and the RCMP to identify short-term responses and long-term plans to meet the needs of all residents of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. This new hub builds on the recommendations of frontline expertise to support people in need and will contribute to the ultimate goal of a safer, more inclusive community.”
Perry Trimper
MHA, Lake Melville
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Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
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Labrador Affairs
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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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Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
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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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Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
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Office of the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
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Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
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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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Office of the Premier
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Office of the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
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Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
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Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
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