Federal and Provincial Governments Help Address Housing and Homelessness Needs in Happy Valley-Goose Bay

Press Release

February 16, 2022

The following is being distributed at the request of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation:

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

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