A quarter of the $5-million in federal funding for new affordable housing units in St. John’s has been set aside for women, their children and other marginalized communities.
The federal government is doling out $5-million to the City of St. John’s through the expanded Rapid Housing Initiative to build 14 new affordable housing units in St. John’s, within a 12-month period.
The project is still in its early stages, making it too early for officials to comment on what the units may look like or consist of. There has been no land or city space designated for the units yet. However, St. John’s Deputy Mayor Sheilagh O’Leary says unfortunately, the money is to build new units, and not to be used to renovate the many older, run-down and vacant properties throughout the capital city.
O’Leary says the COVID-19 pandemic exposed many vulnerabilities and heightened awareness of the need for more affordable housing. That’s why she was happy to see 25 per cent of the funding set aside.
She explains that many women, single-parents, Indigenous Peoples and those living with mental health issues have been in need for quite some time and she’s pleased to see money earmarked for those communities.
The City will issue a Request for Proposals in the coming days and is seeking partnerships with non-profits and charitable housing producers who have affordable housing projects ready to go.
Meanwhile, Major Tony Brushett of the Salvation Army says through the pandemic they’ve realized the need for affordable housing, and that need is growing daily.
Major says from their location, the Ches Penney Centre for Hope on Springdale Street in St. John’s, they see as many as four to five hundred people a day, through their programs.
He explains that they see a lot of single parents, in particular single moms with three or four children who are living in one and two-bedroom apartments. Brushett says the announcement will give a hand up to at least 14 families in the City.
Major Brushett believes the 25 per cent earmarked for women and marginalized groups is “absolutely critical.”
He says quite often with these announcements, by the time it trickles down into people actually moving in, the 25 per cent could be lost.
Brushett adds that they now know upfront that 3 or 4 units are guaranteed to have the right people moving in.
