Demand for NL Housing is greater than the number of units available, and the gap has widened so much over the last two years that the minister responsible is concerned.

Two-hundred and thirty of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing’s 5,600 units are under renovation—50 of which require major repair. In some cases, outside contractors have had to be brought in to get the work done.

Housing Minister John Abbott says they are always people waiting for housing, but the current waitlist is up to 3,000 names. Abbott says they’re doing as much as they can to address demand, including giving NLHC a larger budget for maintenance and repair.

Abbott says the waitlist has been creeping up over the past two years given what’s been happening in the housing market.

“We’re trying to turn the units around as fast as possible, and providing rental subsidies to families but it’s as large challenge we’re facing,” says Abbott.