N.L. awards contract to build 40 new affordable housing units in St. John's

A $17-million contract has finally been awarded to build a long-awaited affordable housing complex in the east end neighbourhood in St. John’s.

Standing next to fellow federal and municipal leaders, housing minister Joedy Wall announced Olympic Construction would build the 40-unit apartment building in the Pleasantville area.

“It's a wonderful announcement. It's going to be great for the people of this area,” said Wall.

He added that the housing project is part of the provincial government’s goal of building 10,000 new homes over the next five years.

“Today's announcement is a huge help. Every announcement that we make going forward is going to make a big difference,” said Wall.

He hopes the apartment complex will be completed by the summer of 2027.

“Our permits are in place and contractors are ready to break ground as soon as possible."

The project was first announced by previous Liberal housing minister John Abbott in 2022 but progress has been slow getting it off the ground.

Wall said he couldn’t speak to the challenges encountered by the previous government before the election of the Progressive Conservatives in October.

“I can certainly say since then it's been a priority for Premier Wakeham and for our government to do as much work as we possibly can,” he said.

The provincial and federal government are sharing that cost through Canada Community Housing Initiative under the National Housing Strategy.

Wall said the project is focused on providing housing for seniors and people with disabilities, and will have eight fully accessible units. The ground level will be used for commercial, office, community or health services.

He also said all units will include elements of universal design, which means design that is aimed at being accessible to all people.

“We do have a lot of work to do as it rolls out. Everyone will be kept informed as we move forward and to make sure everyone has had the right information at the proper time,” said Wall.

East end transformation 

St. John’s Mayor Danny Breen said the east end of St. John’s will “undergo quite a transformation” in the coming years.

Breen referenced the construction of a new correctional facility on East White Hills Road and plans to build more than 1,200 homes at the site of the former Bally Haly golf course.

The Canada Lands Company also wants to develop around 1,000 homes also in the Pleasantville area.

“I think it's great for the city to be able to get densification like this in this area,” said Breen.

“There's a lot of activity happening in the city.”

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