The former premier admits he “knew a lot of work needed to be done with the NL Housing file.”
Auditor General Denise Hanrahan this week released a report showing that waiting lists for public housing grew 71 per cent between 2021 and 2024, even while the inventory dropped.
Liberal leader and former premier John Hogan acknowledges that more building and repairs are needed, and it’s time to put shovels in the ground.
“We recognize that it was an issue for sure. We certainly had a lot of questions and a lot of answers in the House of Assembly about it over the last few years during our mandate. And I think we did recognize that a lot of work needed to be done,” he said.
“We put some money in the budget for it. And certainly during the course of the election campaign, we committed to continuing that work to make sure that NLHC is able to meet its mandate.”
Housing and Social Supports Minister Joedy Wall (VOCM News)
Minister responsible for NL Housing, Joedy Wall, says they’re ready to get to work.
“We know what has to be done,” says Wall. “A lot of things that we’re currently working on, were picked up in the Auditor General’s report.” He says he’s put his submission in to the budgeting process, and he admits, it may not all come in one year, but “we’re on top of the issues.”
