Furey floats 5-point housing plan as 'acute crisis' grips province
CBC
Sheltered, a CBC Investigates series, examines the housing crisis in Newfoundland and Labrador — telling the stories of the people living it, while scrutinizing the policies and politics behind it.
Hours before MHAs re-convened in the legislature for the fall session, the Newfoundland and Labrador government rolled out new measures aimed at tackling what Premier Andrew Furey described as an "acute crisis" in housing.
"Making housing more affordable for hard-working people in Newfoundland and Labrador is a key," Furey said at a news conference Monday morning.
Furey announced "targeted actions" totalling more than $65 million to add 500 new housing options to the market.
The five-point plan provides incentives to the private sector to build more affordable housing.
It includes:
The initiatives got plaudits from industry officials at Monday's news conference.
"This funding and project will positively impact our growing construction industry and local economy," said Stephen Short, vice-chair and executive member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association.
"It means job opportunities for our valued skilled workers, contracts for construction firms, and financial security for families throughout Newfoundland and Labrador."
Alexis Foster, executive officer of the Canadian Home Builders' Association – Newfoundland and Labrador, said it is "heartening" to see the province making efforts like those announced Monday.
"Housing supply, especially affordable housing, is a crisis facing all Canadians which impacts everyone's quality of life," Foster said.
"Collaboration between all levels of government, as well as the public and private sectors, are necessary to address this crisis."
In a separate announcement, the province also came up with a new pot of $3 million to repair and renovate approximately 143 vacant Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation units.
Asked about how Monday's announcement helps people like those living in a tent city that has popped up across the street from Confederation Building, Furey acknowledged there is an "acute crisis" at the moment.
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