As the housing crisis in Newfoundland and Labrador continues to deepen, NDP Leader Jim Dinn (St. John’s Centre) is calling out government on their knee-jerk reaction following the closing of Horizons at 106.
The recent announcement by the Minister of Housing raises concerns that the government’s closure of Horizons at 106 did not come with a concrete action plan but a “figure it out as we go” approach. Dinn says that has the potential to do more harm than good for residents living in the facility if the supports are not put in place. In addition, it puts added stress on the public housing system.
“I just think of the residents who have been in limbo for months, unsure about what they are going to do, or where they are going. I am concerned that this government does not understand the role of transitional and supportive housing, and how many people, including residents at Horizons at 106, will always need that community based, 24/7 approach,” said Dinn. “This situation began because of the former government’s knee-jerk reaction to folks living in tents on the Colonial Building property. The supportive housing model has proven to work. It is obvious that government has no clear plan and so we get more hasty reactions at the expense of the most vulnerable in our society.”
The Minister announced yesterday that NL Housing Corporation (NLHC) will take over the program to support some of the residents from the transitional housing program in public NLHC units. Dinn pointed out that NLHC already has a waitlist of 2600 desperately needing access to public housing.
“With a waitlist of 2600 already on NLHS waitlist. I have to ask, where are these units to house the residents coming from? We cannot keep putting band aids on this situation. These residents are not the only people needing supportive housing. There are more people in shelters and living rough as well as people in unaffordable housing who need help. We have told government and community groups have told them about the programs that work.”
Dinn says the NDP will continue to push for a plan to build more non-market, community based affordable and supportive housing.