N.L. building 6 affordable homes in Corner Brook, but advocate says it's 44 short

Newfoundland and Labrador Housing will soon break ground on six affordable housing units in Corner Brook but one advocate says it falls short of a promised 50 units — at a time when the need for homes is desperate.

Jade Kearley, a west coast housing advocate and co-chair of the regional Community Coalition on Housing and Homelessness, said six is a small number.

"We know there's at least 30 individuals in our community now that could use affordable housing. There's more than that, those are the individuals that we know who are not housed," she said.

"We know that there are other individuals who are living in really substandard conditions, or living in places just barely getting by."

WATCH | The need for new homes is urgent, says this Corner Brook housing advocate: 

N.L. government issued a tender to get 50 houses built. But only 6 are on the table amid ‘desperate need,’ says advocate

21 hours ago

Duration 2:55

Brook Construction is getting $2.6 million to construct six, one-bedroom homes in Corner Brook, with additional accessibility features. That’s far short of the promised 50 units, but no company was successful during the bidding process. That does nothing to help the dozens of unhoused people right now, says advocate Jade Kearley. The CBC’s Colleen

Construction of the six units is expected to begin in the coming weeks, cost $2.6 million and be completed by July 2026. The homes, built in the Crestview Avenue area of Corner Brook, will feature universal designs with one fully accessible unit, according to a statement released Thursday.

The project was first announced in April 2024, with the promise of 50 units for the west coast.

Housing Minister John Abbott told CBC News only one bid was received for the tender of 50 units, but it didn't meet technical standards set out by the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.

As a result, he said, the province opted to move forward with six homes in a design they were comfortable with and will issue the remaining tenders over the fall and winter.

"The risk was too high to proceed, so we cancelled that proposal call. And then we went with the tender for six units," Abbott said.

"We are going to push hard. We know the need is there, as it is elsewhere in the province, and my job is to obviously try and accelerate as much construction of housing as possible."

Kearley said she was disappointed to hear construction will only begin for six units, but hopes Abbott — who will be leaving politics at the end of the summer — can keep the commitment alive within the Housing department.

She says demand for housing is high, noting those in need have been living in shelters, couch surfing or living at Hotel Corner Brook in recent months.

Corner Brook Mayor Jim Parsons — who is also the Liberal candidate for the district of Corner Brook in the upcoming provincial election — also echoed the need for affordable housing.

We're in desperate need," he said. "It's good to see some progress on this. [But] yes, it was disappointing to hear that they didn't get any suitable bids for the 50 total units all at once."

Kearley also voiced concern over the cost of construction. While the province has budgeted construction at $2.6 million for six units, she says the coalition has been working on a plan to build 12 units in the Corner Brook area at a cost of $1.74 million.

Asked about the costs on Friday, Abbott said $2.6 million was the lowest bid.

"Like anything, you'd like it to be cheaper. But that's the reality we're in these days."

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