The City of St. John’s has approved a controversial NL Housing development in the city’s east end.
The land at 20 Janeway Place will be rezoned for the development of four 2-storey complexes.
Council received multiple letters from area residents opposing the development due to concerns regarding reduced property value, removal of green space and possible exposure to asbestos following the demolition of the old Janeway Hospital years ago.
Despite those concerns, the motion was carried unanimously with multiple councillors saying it’s a step in the right direction in addressing homelessness in the capital city.
Councillor Jamie Korab says the new accessible units will help make a dent in the large number of those on the waitlist for affordable housing.
(Jamie Korab. File photo.)
He says according to NL Housing, the current waitlist consists 2,352 households waiting for affordable housing with over 50 per cent in the metro region. He says 90 per cent of those on the list are looking for one or two bedroom units—much like the ones proposed for Janeway Place.
Mayor Danny Breen says it’s a significant project in partnership with the government’s rapid housing fund.
“We do have a major problem here,” says Breen. He says approving developments such as the one proposed in Pleasantville is the right way to address the issues. He says the city will continue to address the issue by partnering with government and community groups.
