The province’s housing minister says he is open to meeting with the HUB about a proposal to create units in St. John’s to deal with the housing crunch.
Tom Badcock says he has approached all levels of government with the idea of creating between seven and 10 units at the facility. While he has received $10,000 from the city to do so, the proposal has barely been acknowledged by other levels of government.
(Image via Google Maps.)
Minister Paul Pike says Badcock met with NL Housing officials on October 18 and they discussed the new affordable rental housing program—but ultimately what The HUB wants to do isn’t eligible.
They also discussed potential federal funding options for bedsitting, and he says they are open to continuing those talks with him.
NDP Reaction
The MHA for St. John’s Centre thought a proposal from a charitable organization in the city to create several lodging units would have been a win-win for everybody. But turns out that the concept is not eligible for provincial funding under any program.
While the provincial government has acknowledged the housing crunch and has directed millions of dollars to help with affordability and supply, the HUB on Merrymeeting Road does not qualify. They have space for seven bedsitting rooms and three one-bedroom apartments but the project does not qualify.
MHA Jim Dinn, who noted that NLHC lost four units in the Lime Street fire on Monday, is frustrated that a credible organization such as the HUB can get nowhere with its plan to add more housing.
Dinn is not big on bedsitting rooms on the private market but he knows the HUB and he’s aware that there are people sleeping under the walkways to the building.
