The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, today announced that a request for proposals has been issued for the creation of new affordable homes in the province’s rental market. This request for proposals builds on the more than 1,000 housing options that have been created over the last two years and further highlights the ongoing commitment to increase access to safe and affordable housing, and ultimately improving health and social outcomes for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
A technical briefing for media will be held at 2:30 p.m. today (Wednesday, June 7), in the 3rd Floor Boardroom, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation Head Office, 2 Canada Drive, St. John’s, to discuss the request for proposals for the new Affordable Rental Housing Program. Minister Abbott will be available to speak with the media immediately following the briefing.
Media planning to participate are asked to confirm their attendance with Jenny Bowring at jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca.
Budget 2023 included a $70 million investment for a new, three-year, Affordable Rental Housing Program. The program will provide one-time capital funding in the form of a forgivable loan to support the development of more than 850 new affordable rental homes throughout the province. These new homes will be developed through partnerships with the private and community housing sectors. The program will focus on supporting seniors, as well as other vulnerable populations, including young adults, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, newcomers, women and children fleeing violence and people experiencing homelessness.
The proposal call and guidelines for both the Private Sector stream and a Community Housing Sector stream are available here. Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation will also be hosting live webinars over the next two weeks to review program details and to be available to answer questions. A recorded webinar will also be made available on the Corporation’s website. Interested proponents may contact: Jennifer Knight at jlknight@nlhc.nl.ca to register for a webinar session.
Quotes
“Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador welcomes the opportunity to partner with our private and community housing sectors to develop affordable rental housing and support increased economic activity throughout the province.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“The Canadian Home Builders’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador is thrilled with the announcement of the new Affordable Housing Program. This initiative is vital and we are thankful for the opportunity to provide feedback on the program. CHBA-NL looks forward to continuing to work with our government and its stakeholders to achieve the program’s goals.”
Alexis Foster
Chief Executive Officer
Canadian Home Builders Association-Newfoundland and Labrador
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BACKGROUNDER
Fact Sheet: Investment in Affordable Housing
Program Overview
The Affordable Rental Housing Program provides one-time capital funding in the form of a forgivable loan to assist in the creation of affordable rental housing units throughout the province. The program is funded by the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.
There are two distinct application streams – the Private Sector Stream and the Community Housing Sector Stream. Successful proponents will own and manage their project and rent to lower income households at or below rates established by the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. These rates will be based on annual rental market reports published by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
| Program Criteria | Private Sector Stream | Community Housing Sector Stream |
| Eligible Proponents | Private Owners/Operators | Non-Profit Organizations
Housing Co-operatives Indigenous Organizations |
| Funding Per Unit | $55,000-$95,000 | $125,000-$180,000 |
| Affordability Period | 15-20 years | 25-30 years |
| Max. Household Incomes | $42,000 | $38,000 |
| Application Window | Round 1: June-Aug. 31, 2023 | Open-ended (subject to change) |
What determines the funding level?
The funding amount is derived from a combination of project location and incentive criteria designed to encourage viable projects and target desired program outcomes. An online self-assessment tool is available here to help determine the level of available financial assistance.
- Geographical Location: Location impacts the capital cost of an affordable housing project as the value and availability of land, labour and materials vary throughout the province. Project regions are assigned for Labrador, St. John’s CMA and Island Communities.
- Duration of Affordability: Projects that commit to a longer period of affordable rents will receive additional financial incentives.
- Energy Efficiency: Projects that exceed minimum energy efficiency requirements will further reduce heating costs for tenants and will receive additional financial incentives.
- Accessibility of Units: Projects that exceed minimum accessibility requirements will receive additional financial incentives.
- Proximity to Healthcare: Locating affordable housing units in close proximity to healthcare amenities will receive additional financial incentives.
Housing projects that support the development of age-friendly communities enable Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, including older adults with disabilities, to age in place with dignity and autonomy. For example, housing projects that include social or well-being multipurpose areas, inside and/or outdoors, contribute to age friendly design. Please contact the Affordable Housing Manager at arhp@nlhc.nl.ca or 709-724-3059 to discuss potential options for incorporating these elements, including related costs, within your project.
Additional Program Details
- Projects may be developed through new construction, conversion of a non‐residential building or an addition to an existing residential structure.
- Projects must have a minimum of four units.
- Funding is available for up to a maximum of 20 units for the Community Housing Sector Stream. To incentivize mixed-income models, the Private Sector Stream may receive per unit funding for the first 10 units of a project and 50 per cent of the units thereafter, up to the maximum of 20 funded units. For example, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation will provide per unit funding on the first 15 units in a 20-unit project, 18 units in a 26-unit project, or 20 units in a 30-unit project. Units not funded by Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation would not be considered part of the Affordable Rental Housing Program and may be rented at market rates.
- The maximum monthly rental rates are established by Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, based upon the rental market reports developed annually by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The following rates are applicable as of June 2023:
| Rate Type | Private Sector Rates | Community Housing Sector Rates | ||||||
| Bedroom | Bachelor | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR | Bachelor | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR |
| St. John’s CMA | $665 | $730 | $880 | $840 | $585 | $645 | $775 | $740 |
| Island Communities | $650 | $700 | $795 | $820 | $575 | $620 | $705 | $725 |
| Labrador | $665 | $730 | $880 | $840 | $585 | $645 | $775 | $740 |
- Projects must adhere to the technical requirements outlined in the request for proposals document, including visitable, universal design and accessibility requirements, in addition to all applicable building codes. Units must be of modest criteria and be self-contained residential units with a private kitchen and bathroom facilities. Institutional premises and personal care homes are not eligible.
- Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation will secure the forgivable loan with a registered mortgage, amortized over the life of the affordability period and operating agreement with the proponent.
- Proponent submissions will be evaluated for demonstrated housing need and amenities available in their selected community to support the project, the capacity to deliver and manage the project, and the financial viability and sustainability of the project.
- Full program guidelines are available for both the Private Sector and Community Housing Sector proposal calls.
How to Apply
- Both Private and Community Housing Sector Stream applications will be available on the Programs sections of the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation’s website with directions on how to complete and submit your proposal.
- Interested proponents may contact the Manager of Affordable Housing at arhp@nlhc.nl.ca or 709-724-3059 for more information or assistance in responding to the proposal call.