The Provincial Government continues to invest in affordable housing to improve the well-being of families and communities throughout the province. Today, government announced that two contracts with a combined value of $1.8 million have been awarded to Capital Environmental to develop provincially-owned homes in Labrador West, which will assist six individuals or families to secure safe and affordable housing.
The first contract, valued at $1.3 million, will see the construction of four new one-bedroom homes first announced in Budget 2024. This fourplex will feature two fully accessible one-bedroom units on the main level, as well as two one-bedroom units on the second level. These four units are replacing two units that were destroyed by fire in 2022.
Universal Design features are incorporated throughout the building and include items such as widened exterior and interior doors and hallways, lever-type door handles and faucets. Energy efficiency is also a key element in the design and construction of the building.
The second contract, valued at $470,000, will cover extensive interior and exterior renovations to two three-bedroom homes that have been vacant since 2019. Work includes replacing siding, windows and doors, repairs to the roof and interior renovations including electrical and plumbing repairs in the kitchen and bathrooms.
It is anticipated that the renovations to existing homes will be complete by spring 2025, while the new builds are expected to be complete by fall 2025.
Last year, the Provincial Government completed renovations and refurbishments on 20 provincially owned homes on Cavendish Crescent in Labrador City. There are currently 88 provincially owned homes in Labrador West.
Quotes
“In Budget 2024, we committed to building new homes in Labrador West, and today we are moving forward with addressing housing needs in the area. Access to affordable housing strengthens communities, and our government will continue to prioritize initiatives that support Labrador West’s continued economic growth.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Housing and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
“The contracts which have been awarded are another step towards meeting our commitment to contribute solutions to the housing situation in Labrador West. We look forward to the day when the new and renovated units open their doors to families.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Labrador Affairs and Minister of Environment and Climate Change
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Provincial Government to Build 50 Homes in Corner Brook
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A person’s well-being starts at home, and access to safe and affordable housing is a critical element of improving the well-being of individuals and communities.
As part of its commitment to improving access to affordable housing and housing that is affordable, in October 2023 the Provincial Government introduced a Five-Point Plan to Improve Availability of Housing that is Affordable. Driven by a record provincial investment in Budget 2024, the Provincial Government has seen significant progress in supporting first-time homebuyers, while setting the foundation for significant growth in affordable rental housing.
Progress in the first 11 months of the Five-Point Plan includes:
The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Housing and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, provided the update today. The minister was joined by Derek Brown, Board Chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association, and Alexis Foster, Executive Officer of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association Newfoundland and Labrador.
Also included in the Five-Point Plan is the removal of the provincial portion of the HST on new purpose-built rental housing. This includes a 100 per cent rebate on the provincial portion of the HST for larger scale projects with multiple units (minimum of four private units or 10 private rooms with shared amenities), and a 36 per cent rebate on the provincial portion of the HST on projects that do not qualify for the 100 per cent rebate. The deadline for applications is up to two years after project completion, with retroactive reimbursement to September 13, 2023. It is expected that there will be applications in 2025 and beyond as projects currently underway are completed.
The Provincial Government expects further progress in the second-year of the plan implementation, as recent developments at the municipal and federal levels should lead to increased housing development. The City of St. John’s, City of Mount Pearl and Town of Grand-Falls Windsor have all introduced secondary suite programs that can be combined with the provincial Secondary and Basement Suites Program, further decreasing the homebuyer’s personal investment.
At the same time, the Provincial Government continues to work with the Federal Government to identify opportunities under Canada’s Housing Plan, first announced in May 2024, that reflect the realities of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Five-Point Plan is just one part of the Provincial Government’s efforts to increase housing availability in Newfoundland and Labrador. Through the Affordable Rental Housing program, the Provincial Government is investing over $80 million in projects that will construct approximately 900 new affordable rental homes throughout the province. In Budget 2024, the Provincial Government announced the construction of over 100 new social housing units in Corner Brook, Central Newfoundland and Labrador West. These new builds are in addition to ongoing construction of 16 homes in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and 32 homes in the Pleasantville area of St. John’s, with a further 40-unit apartment complex set to begin construction in 2025.
From January to June 2024, housing starts in the province totaled 672 units, up 106.8 per cent (or 347 units) compared to the corresponding period in 2023.
Quotes
“Well-being starts at home. Having a safe, affordable place to call home is critical for mental and physical health. We know that those whose homes that aren’t affordable – or those without a home at all – face significant challenges without this foundation. Our Five-Point Plan has seen early success in helping families purchase their first home, and we expect significant affordable rental housing development as a result of our investments in the years to come.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Housing and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
“The NL Construction Association is excited to see the Provincial Government provide funding, loans and land to facilitate development of hundreds of new affordable rental units in this province. Our membership looks forward to continued collaboration with the Provincial Government, as well as municipal governments in moving these projects forward to completion and getting more people in homes.”
Derek Brown
Board Chair, Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association
“CHBA-NL is pleased to see the positive impact of the Provincial Five-Point Plan on affordable housing in Newfoundland and Labrador. We commend the government for valuing feedback and making necessary adjustments to the programs. We are optimistic that these changes will inspire further housing developments, ensuring more Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have access to safe and affordable homes.”
Alexis Foster
Executive Officer, Canadian Home Builders’ Association Newfoundland and Labrador
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The Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador today announced an enhancement to the Canada Housing Benefit that will provide additional housing supports for survivors of gender-based violence.
Through a joint investment of $17.12 million over five years, this enhancement will help survivors, including women, children and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, find a safe and affordable place to call home in the private rental market.
The Canada Housing Benefit for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence is expected to support over 580 individuals or householders throughout the province during the critical time of vulnerability and need experienced by those fleeing violence, experiencing homelessness or with severe core housing need. This recognizes that individuals exiting violence may be experiencing financial abuse or face barriers to accessing other types of benefits because of complex family situations.
The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Housing and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, and the Honourable Pam Parsons, Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality, joined the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, federal Minister Responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Minister of Rural Economic Development, who made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, federal Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities. The ministers were also joined by Malin Enström, Executive Director of Iris Kirby House.
Since 2021, the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Benefit has helped over 550 families secure housing in the private rental market. The enhanced benefit will follow the same terms and conditions as the existing Canada Housing Benefit. While the enhanced federal funding is specifically for survivors of gender-based violence, provinces and territories will have the flexibility to use their cost-matching to support ending gender-based violence or other priorities and programs to assist this vulnerable population with direct-to-household affordability assistance.
Since 1991, NL Housing has prioritized and offered affordable housing for victims of violence, which has helped people province-wide regain control and rebuild their lives. The Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation provides over $9 million annually to support ten transition houses throughout the province, including the new and expanded Grace Sparkes House opened this year in Marystown.
Quotes
“The Federal Government has invested more than $4 billion in the Canada Housing Benefit to provide direct assistance to households in need. However, housing affordability can still be a barrier for many people experiencing violence from seeking a safe place to live, which is why we are partnering with Provinces and Territories to enhance the Housing Benefit. With this additional funding we are partnering with Newfoundland and Labrador to lend a hand to those who have experienced gender-based violence, including women, children and 2SLGBTQI+ people, find a safe and affordable place to call home.”
Honourable Sean Fraser
Federal Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
“Everyone deserves safe and accessible housing. With this agreement, our government is making an estimated 317 households more affordable. This new funding will support families and individuals that have experienced gender-based violence by providing housing that is safe and secure. We must uplift and support those most vulnerable throughout our communities.”
Honourable Gudie Hutchings
Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Minister of Rural Economic Development, Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains
“The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Benefit has helped over 550 families secure housing in the private rental market since it was introduced in the Fall of 2021. With this new funding stream, we will be able to help even more families and individuals experiencing gender-based violence begin to rebuild their lives with dignity and security in the comfort of a new home.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Housing
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
“Our Provincial Government continues to support those at risk of gender-based violence, highlighted by the enaction of Clare’s Law, which came into force this year, and our signing of the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence Agreement in 2023. This expansion of the Canada Housing Benefit is yet another way we are working to protect the most vulnerable in our province.”
Honourable Pam Parsons
Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality
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Provincial and Federal Governments Announce 20 New Shelter Beds for Women in Marystown
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Housing challenges are escalating across Atlantic Canada, and advancing solutions to these challenges was the focus of yesterday’s meeting of the region’s housing ministers. The Atlantic Provincial Ministers remain eager to collaborate closely with the federal government to fulfill the commitments made during the last meeting in January with the Honourable Sean Fraser, Federal Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, including the development of a tailored framework for an Atlantic Innovation Initiative.
The Atlantic Ministers recognize that addressing the housing crisis requires a joint effort. They are committed to working together with the federal government to ensure that the substantial investments made by the provinces are matched by federal support. This partnership is vital to delivering the housing solutions Atlantic Canadians urgently need.
The Ministers emphasized the need for more frequent and focused collaboration with the federal government, noting that Atlantic Canadians cannot afford to wait while the housing crisis worsens. The federal government’s housing plan, while a step in the right direction, needs to be further refined to ensure fairness and flexibility so funding programs can address the unique needs of Atlantic Canada. The Atlantic Ministers are eager to see the shared commitments made in January translate into immediate, meaningful actions that are responsive to the specific housing market conditions of the region.
A targeted federal investment of $500 million is being proposed to meet the immediate housing needs across Atlantic Canada, a critical step toward ensuring all Atlantic Canadians have access to adequate housing.
Exploring Innovative Solutions to Common Barriers
The discussions focused on innovative solutions to accelerate development timelines, including pooling resources to test and scale up advanced construction techniques, investing in the growth of the Atlantic offsite construction industry, and addressing housing-related labour shortages by facilitating easier access to careers in the skilled trades. The provinces are seeking additional resources to make offsite construction a more viable option for new housing developments, including funding for pre-construction activities and the creation of standardized regional housing designs and tools.
An Invitation for Federal Collaboration
The Atlantic provinces are fully committed to regional collaboration and believe that, with a strong partnership with the federal government, they can effectively tackle the housing challenges facing the region. While the tools currently available have laid some groundwork, there is a clear need for new, region-specific programs to deliver immediate and effective housing solutions. The Atlantic Ministers are ready to engage in a renewed, strengthened partnership with the federal government to turn shared goals into tangible outcomes.
Quotes
“Yesterday’s meeting with our Atlantic colleagues reiterated our common goal and commitment to work together to create affordable housing in communities across the region as quickly as possible. The government of Newfoundland and Labrador remains focused on addressing the diverse housing needs throughout the province and welcomes the opportunity to continue advancing a regional approach to drive innovation and productivity to accelerate housing supply for the benefit of our residents and residents across the Atlantic region.”
Honourable John Abbott
Minister of Housing and Minster of Mental Health and Addictions, Newfoundland and Labrador
“Nova Scotia’s government is ready to move forward with bold initiatives, and we believe that working hand-in-hand with the federal government is the best path to success. We need to act now, not just for the future but for the immediate well-being of Nova Scotians and all Atlantic Canadians. Together, we can create solutions that truly address the unique needs of our region.”
Honourable John Lohr
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Nova Scotia
“Our government understands the urgent need for safe, affordable, and accessible housing for all New Brunswickers. We recognize the importance of being responsive to housing market changes and challenges – that’s why partnerships like this are imperative to solving the housing crunch. We will continue to build on our successes and ensure we’re laying a strong foundation for generations of New Brunswickers to come.”
Honourable Jill Green
Minister of Social Development and Minister Responsible for the New Brunswick Housing Corporation
“Through our provincial housing strategy, we are making significant investments to address the housing crisis, but we need co-operation and co-ordination at the local, regional and national level to help achieve our goals. By working closely with our federal partners and regional counterparts, we can pool our resources, align our strategies, and ensure that our initiatives effectively address the needs of all communities. We can do more together than we can separately.”
Honourable Rob Lantz
Minister of Housing, Land and Communities, Prince Edward Island
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