Parsons touts new housing for the disadvantaged, seniors and immigrants

By Olivia Bradbury/Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Avalon MP Ken McDonald and Harbour Grace – Port de Grave MHA Pam Parsons teamed up last week to use a construction projection on Dawe’s Avenue in Clarke’s Beach as a backdrop for a combined federal and provincial housing fund announcement.

McDonald announced the Government of Canada will spend over $26 million on 26 housing projects. The result will be nearly 300 new units across Newfoundland and Labrador, he added.

 “They all share one thing in common: they will be home,” said McDonald. “They will be home to folks who are struggling and just need a little extra help keeping a roof over their heads. They will be home to these people and more.”

The Liberal MP said a number of “partners” came together to make the projects happen, and credited CAN-AM Platforms & Construction Ltd., for its work on the Dawe’s Avenue project, which will consist of six units for seniors.

The projects are being paid for by the Affordable Housing Fund, which McDonald described as a “flagship program for building and repairing affordable and community housing, prioritize projects, and help people who need it the most.”

McDonald said the program simplifies the application process for new builds and allows developers earlier access to contributions and forgivable loans to start their projects.

“The fund now has dedicated new sub-streams,” added McDonald. “Rapid housing sub-streams to help build shelters supportive of transitional housing for those in greatest need, community housing sub-streams to support affordable and mixed market housing where there are both affordable and market rent units in the project.”

Parsons said she was glad to see Ottawa contributing funds for new housing.

“We’re pleased that the government of Canada has made additional funding available for many projects we are supporting from the provincial Affordable Rental Housing Program,” said the Liberal member. “The Affordable Renting Housing Program was created by Newfoundland and Labrador Housing (NLHC) in 2023 to stimulate private and community sector development, to encourage builders and contractors to develop safe, affordable housing, and that is exactly what we’re doing.”

Parsons said the developers will be able to own and manage their projects and rent the units to lower income residents at a below market rate, which will be determined by NLHC based on annual market reports by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

“It is clear to us that we will be able to address housing shortages in this province if all members of government work together to support proponents in finding ways to build,” said Parsons. “It’s also clear that there is no singular action or investment that will fix our housing problems. That is why we have several approaches to meet our housing needs. That is why we are building more provincially owned homes, expanding rental subsidy offerings, and incentivizing the private and community sectors to build affordable and market rentals.”

According to Parsons, there are currently over 180 affordable homes being constructed throughout the province. Since 2021, over 500 families have been supported in finding homes through the Canada NL Housing Benefit Plan, and over 200 families have bought their first homes with the help of the provincial government’s five-point housing plan, she added.

Parsons noted that two of the housing projects are located in Bay Roberts.

“I know these will be life-changing for the residents in my great district as I’m sure they will be here in Clarke’s Beach,” she said.

Parsons said that in addition to seniors, more housing can help accommodate the growing number of immigrants in Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as people struggling with the rising cost of living.

When asked what the need for housing looks like in rural areas versus urban areas, Joe Mercer, NL Housing’s executive director of regional operations, said the main issue is that there are people who want to live in rural communities where not enough housing is available to accommodate the demand. Through projects such as the one in Clarke’s Beach, it will give more seniors the opportunity to downsize by moving into smaller units, thereby freeing up their previous homes to people interested in buying. There are a number of factors that will determine rental rates, including location and size, but Mercer estimated they will be in the $700 to $800 range.

A federal and provincial housing announcement last week in Clarke’s Beach drew a bevy of local politicians and bureaucrats, including, from left: Grayson Kelly and Joe Mercer of NL Housing, Clarke’s Beach councillor June Batten, MHA Pam Parsons, MP Ken McDonald, the CMHC’s Brian Butt, Clarke’s Beach Deputy Mayor Danielle Bussey, and Harbour Main MHA Helen Conway Ottenheimer. Olivia Bradbury photo