Public Service Announcement
Town Submits Round 2 Application
Rapid Housing Initiative
Information for the Public
Release Date: November 19, 2021
There is an urgent need for more affordable housing in Central Labrador. The Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay is actively involved in looking for cost-effective interventions to address the shortages.
The Town recently applied for a second time to the Rapid Housing Initiative through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The Town was unsuccessful in the pursuit of funding during the first round in late 2020, but in the summer of 2021, CMHC announced the second round of $1.5 billion for the creation of affordable homes. The Town is currently awaiting the second-round results, forthcoming in December or early in the new year.
The application from the Town represents a significant new partnership for the municipality. In collaboration with the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), the provincial public housing authority, the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay submitted a revised funding application, still seeking 25 units of primarily affordable one-bedroom housing, but with the addition of several two-bedroom units to meet the needs of more low-income parents with children. The partnership with NLHC has deepened, with a renewed commitment of operational and capital support.
Should the Town succeed in pursuing funds in this round, the new builds would be absorbed into the local public housing stock already owned and operated by NLHC. The Town would therefore benefit from the established expertise of the provincial public housing authority for the management of the properties throughout their lifespan. This project would represent a tremendous inter-governmental partnership with contributions from the municipal, provincial, and federal levels of government. It would go a long way towards addressing housing insecurity in this community.
The Town will continue to update the public as the results are released in the coming months. In the meantime, should you have any questions or comments about the project proposal, the partnership with NLHC, or the need for affordable housing in the community, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Town. Questions and comments can be directed to the Director of Community Development and Research, Brenna Jarrar, at cd@townhvgb.com or by phone at 709-899-0392.