Dinn Calls for Geotechnical Report, Data Used for Decision to Abandon Public Housing Units
- NL NDP
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
For Immediate Release
June 3, 2025
NL NDP Leader Jim Dinn (St. John’s Centre) wrote the Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation demanding government provide the reports and documents they used to determine that Livingstone public housing units could not be rebuilt.
Dinn says he was shocked to hear the current Minister discuss rebuilding public housing in the Livingstone Street area in St. John’s Centre, “putting good money after bad situation,” and say that it is not fit to rebuild on the land. Dinn is calling on government to show the data they used to make such an assumption.
“It’s interesting that the minister continues to say the area is not suitable when continuing down the street are the same unit builds as the ones that burned. I have to question if government just wants to continue their parade of hiding homelessness and poverty instead of dealing with it in a meaningful way.”
Dinn is calling for government to provide a geotechnical report done by engineers or any data they used to make the decision that the land itself isn’t suitable.
“I am trying to understand the rationale to not rebuild NLHC housing stock when people are in desperate need of affordable housing,” Dinn wrote to the Minister. “You have clearly stated that the private market is working, but I ask then if it is working, why do we still have people sleeping in tents? Why are we spending $13 million on emergency shelters? If you continue to let public units fall to rubble while people are desperate, the problem will only grow.”
“In summary, the questions I would like answered are:
1. Will you make public the geotechnical report, and/or any evidence or data from your department, that justifies your position to not rebuild units on Livingstone Street?
2. What makes rebuilding units on Livingstone Street putting “good money after a bad situation”?
3. Who exactly do you plan to collaborate with on the future of this area, and what will be your focus for these discussions?
4. What are you doing to rebuild or repair homes around the city and province?”
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For further information, contact Stephanie Curran, Media and Communications Officer, NDP Caucus at 330-0328 (o), or stephaniecurran@gov.nl.ca