The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Canada and the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay today announced the official opening of 16 new affordable homes in the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. These homes, built through a federal investment of $5 million through the third phase of the Rapid Housing Initiative, are owned and operated as part of NL Housing’s rental housing portfolio, welcoming tenants in November and December 2024.
The announcement was made by Yvonne Jones, Member of Parliament for Labrador on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, alongside the Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Housing and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, and His Worship George Andrews, Mayor of Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
The 16 homes are located in four fourplex-style buildings on Brett Street and Lethbridge Street. Four of the homes are two-bedroom units while the other 12 are one-bedroom units, the areas of greatest demand.
Two of the ground level-units are fully wheelchair accessible, while the other six ground level units are visitable, with wider doors and no step entry. All 16 homes were built with universal design features, including widened exterior and interior doors and hallways and lever-type door handles and faucets. Energy efficiency is also a key element in the design and construction of the buildings.
Tenants will come from NL Housing’s existing prioritized waitlist, and rents will be geared-to-income at 25 per cent of the household’s net income. Tenants will also receive a heating subsidy.
Quotes
“We are pleased to officially open these new homes in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, which will support 16 individuals or families in need of affordable housing. Our government remains an open and willing partner with both the Federal Government and municipal governments looking to expand affordable housing throughout our province.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Housing
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
“Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. This investment, through the Rapid Housing Initiative, will provide stability and safety to those who need it the most. I’m proud that this major investment will help meet affordable housing needs here in Newfoundland and Labrador for decades to come. This is our government’s National Housing Strategy at work.”
Yvonne Jones
Member of Parliament for Labrador
“Everyone deserves a safe place to call home to live, raise a family, and build a future – including here in Lake Melville. This Rapid Housing Initiative, in combination with the National Strategy, will provide funding to help build new affordable homes – quickly. The attention on accessibility and inclusivity within the universal design of these 16 units will help towards ensuring no one gets left behind.”
Perry Trimper
Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier
Member of House of Legislative Assembly for Lake Melville
“With such a demand for affordable housing in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, it is great to see the completion of these 16 homes. This is a major investment in our community and provides a safe and stable place for individuals and families to grow and succeed. The 13th Council is thankful to have partnered with all parties involved and looks forward to continuing to work together on future initiatives.”
His Worship George Andrews
Mayor of Happy Valley Goose Bay
– 30 –
Quick Facts
The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Housing and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, are today congratulating the volunteers, staff and donors of The Gathering Place on the milestone of completing construction of the Mercy House supportive and transitional living space and the O’Callaghan’s Haven emergency shelter.
Mercy House, located in the former Mercy Convent, will feature 52 supportive and transitional living spaces. These spaces provide not only a safe place to stay for those experiencing homelessness, but also provide access to individualized wrap-around supports, which is intended to help them break the cycle of homelessness and move forward with securing more stable housing.
O’Callaghan’s Haven, named after key donor and recent Order of Newfoundland and Labrador recipient Patrick O’Callaghan, will include a 40-bed emergency shelter that will replace the current 30-bed temporary shelter in The Gathering Place.
The Provincial Government provided $2 million to The Gathering Place for the expansion. This funding, in addition to $5.9 million in Rapid Housing Funding from the Federal Government and resources from other key donors including Mr. O’Callaghan, supported the renovations that will allow The Gathering Place to serve more people in St. John’s and the surrounding area.
The Provincial Government is currently providing approximately $3.5 million in operating funding to The Gathering Place. This includes an increase of $1.5 million announced in Budget 2024 to ensure it can continue to provide critical services to a vulnerable population.
Quotes
“The Gathering Place, born out of a partnership 30 years ago between the Sisters of Mercy and the Presentation Sisters, has once again expanded through critical partnerships. Our government is a proud partner to the important work of The Gathering Place, and I extend my sincere thanks to the staff and volunteers who support our most vulnerable on this momentous day.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“With this expansion, The Gathering Place will not only support those who find themselves in the emergency situation of homelessness but will also help individuals who have experienced long-term homelessness in breaking the cycle and securing more permanent housing. This change will be transformative, and I look forward to hearing success stories from Mercy House in the years to come.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Housing and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
-30-
Learn more
Budget 2024
Follow us on X at @GovNL and @NLHousing
Like us on Facebook
The Provincial Government has issued a Request for Proposals for the construction of 50 new provincially owned homes in Corner Brook, the next stage of a process first announced in Budget 2024.
The majority of these homes will be built in the Crestview Avenue area of Corner Brook. In the first phase of the project, the Provincial Government awarded multiple contracts totaling nearly $1 million for the abatement and demolition of 32 long-term vacant apartments in the area, work that is nearing completion.
The new builds will involve the construction of multiple buildings that will feature a combination of one- and two-bedroom homes, which are in the greatest demand. Design and construction will demonstrate best practices in terms of land use, integration of walkways, parking and landscaping. A minimum of 10 units will be fully wheelchair-accessible, while all units will incorporate universal design features, such as wider doors and lever handles.
To encourage submissions that will promote rapid construction, the RFP is issued as a “Design Build” procurement model, where a contract is awarded for both the design and the construction of the project. The RFP also allows for proposals from a range of construction types, including traditional wood-frame construction, modular housing or Insulated Concrete Form. To support long-term sustainability, there are targets for energy efficiency performance and construction detailing.
Construction is anticipated to begin in 2025.
In Budget 2024, the Provincial Government announced the creation of over 100 new provincially owned homes in Corner Brook, Central Newfoundland and Labrador West. Earlier this week, government announced it had awarded a contract for the development of four homes in Labrador West.
Quotes
“I am pleased to see continued progress on these new homes in Corner Brook and look forward to assisting another 50 individuals and families secure safe and affordable housing. Our government continues to work to expand available housing and strengthen communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Housing, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
“Our government recognizes the growing demand for housing in the Corner Brook area and continues to take action to put people in homes. As MHA for Corner Brook, and recognizing that we must move swiftly to build more housing that is accessible, affordable, modern and designed to meet the needs of today’s individuals and families, I am very pleased to see NL Housing moving forward with this latest work to build 50 new housing units in Corner Brook.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture and MHA for Corner Brook
-30-
Learn more
Provincial Government to Build 50 Homes in Corner Brook
Contracts Awarded to Construct New Homes in Labrador West
Follow us on X at @GovNL and @NLHousing
Like us on Facebook
Three community housing providers have received funding through the recently established Newfoundland and Labrador Community Housing Growth Fund to assist in the development of affordable housing projects.
They include:
The Community Housing Growth Fund supports non-profit, co-operative and Indigenous organizations and registered charities with funding for planning and pre-development work for affordable housing projects, where the absence of this funding often serves as a barrier for these groups to advance their projects. This funding allows these groups to take advantage of further funding opportunities from all levels of government, helping to shape project development and improve the rate of project success.
The fund was created in partnership between the Provincial Government and the national Community Housing Transformation Centre (the Centre). The selection committee for submissions consists of two representatives from Newfoundland and Labrador Housing, one the Centre representative, and two representatives from the province’s community housing sector, or individuals with relevant knowledge, experience and expertise.
The $1.5 million invested in the fund includes $1.25 million from the Provincial Government and a $250,000 contribution from the Centre. Funding is still available, and groups interested in applying for support can visit the Centre’s website.
Quote
“Community sector partners have the passion and the drive to address housing challenges, but often lack funding for pre-development costs. This funding through the Community Housing Growth Fund will help remove this barrier, and our objective is to support these three projects to move forward and create affordable homes for families in the very near future.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Housing and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
-30-
Learn more
Provincial Government Partnership to Support Growth of the Community Housing Sector
Follow us on X at @GovNL and @NLHousing
Like us on Facebook