Questions and concerns about for-profit, emergency housing were raised in the House of Assembly following the violent death of a young man on Bond Street last night.

A neighbour says the property in question has been a concern to local residents for some time.

Josh Taylor told VOCM Morning Show Co-host Fred Hutton the residence at the focus of the incident is a for-profit emergency shelter and disturbances are not unusual at the site.

Taylor says area residents have long been concerned about the property and the conditions in which people there are living. He says neighbours have spoken with council, the police and others about their concerns, but to no avail.

He says the for-profit shelters have no supports or social work with high-risk people put together in what he calls low-quality conditions.

Opposition Leader Ches Crosbie offered his condolences to the young man’s friends and family and questioned minister responsible Lisa Dempster on the issue in the House of Assembly this afternoon.

Crosbie says last fiscal year’s budget for emergency shelter “ballooned” from $3.6-million to $5.1-million.

Minister Lisa Dempster says they’re moving people from private into non-profit because of wrap-around supports.

Since the Emergency Shelter Program moved under NL Housing, they have 38 per cent fewer people in private shelters.

Dempster says it was not one of their clients. Shares her condolences. In June 2018 shelters and transition houses were moved under NL Housing.

Showing signs of success. @VOCMNEWS #nlpoli

— Ben Murphy (@BenMurphy590) November 6, 2019

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