The Town of Gander has released the results of a new Housing Needs Assessment for the municipality, which has seen its population grow to nearly 12,000 in recent years.
The assessment was conducted by Re/fact Consulting to help identify priorities in light of projections showing that the town will have to build 700 new homes over the next decade to meet demand.
The assessment’s key findings show that the town is experiencing sustained demand and low supply, that is creating affordability challenges especially as it relates to rental prices. Most of Gander’s current housing stock consists of single detached homes, with a noticeable drop in new multi-residential developments.
The assessment also found that despite the fact that household incomes in Gander are above the provincial average, 900 households are struggling with housing affordability, a disproportionate number of whom are renters.
The town is now focused on a number of strategic priorities including increasing the supply of affordable housing, expanding rental housing options, broadening the types of housing available, and coming up with innovative solutions to encourage more choice and affordability.