Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation. History of CMHC. (date last accessed, April 3, 2011).
The website provides a decade by decade highlight of the implementation of major housing policies of the CMHC. There are links on the page to the National Housing Act, to regulations governing the CMHC and to CMHC milestones, a chronological list of important events in the history of the CMHC.
Choices for Youth. Engaged, Empowered, Independent. (date last accessed, April 3, 2011).
Choices for Youth is a non-profit organisation that provides access to variety of supportive housing options and services for youth between the ages of 16 and 29. The nine-bed young men’s shelter usually has a 90% occupancy rate. The maximum length of stay is a month, but the average is two weeks. Fundraising is currently underway for an “affordable housing and employment project” that will provide one and two bedroom apartments for 12 youth, employment training and literacy training.
The City of St. John’s. Housing. (date last accessed, April 3, 2011).
The web page provides information about housing programmes run by the Non-Profit Housing Division of the City of St. John’s. The housing provided by the city falls into two categories: Lower End of Market and Rent Geared to Income rentals. Details concerning the monthly rents of the different types of units, their locations and an application form may be found at this website.
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing and Homelessness Network. (date last accessed, April 3, 2011).
Homelessness is beyond the scope of this history of public housing. However it is an important issue today. Various community-based service providers from municipal, provincial and federal departments and agencies, as well as representatives of persons at risk of homelessness, have formed the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing and Homelessness Network in order to work together on issues related to homelessness and housing.
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. (date last accessed, April 3, 2011).
The home page contains links to organizational aspects of the NLHC and to its programmes and services. Annuals reports going back to 2004/2005 are available. The 2007/2008 report noted that no new public housing had been constructed in the St. John’s area since 1990. The 2009/2010 report noted that construction began on four new public housing homes, on Vimy Avenue in the Froude Avenue development. Two of the homes are fully wheel-chair accessible, and two are semi-accessible.
_____ A Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador 2009 – Secure Foundations. (date last accessed, April 3, 2011).
This publication outlines the issues and priorities of the Newfoundland Government with respect to the housing needs of low-income renters and home-owners. The report contains an interesting chart showing the ages of the public housing stock in Newfoundland. Sixty-five percent of the housing stock is thirty to fifty years old, some unspecified percentage is older. Very few public housing units have been built since 1990. In addition to increasing costs for the maintenance of the existing housing stock, the demand for the larger units has declined. The demographics of those requiring housing has changed significantly to include increasing numbers of single individuals and seniors.
_____ Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Strategic Plan 2008-2011. (date last accessed, April 3, 2011).
The strategic plan was developed to adapt to the declining federal support for public housing. It outlines the challenges faced by the NLHC and the steps that it will take to address these challenges.
Stella Burry Community Services. Stella’s Circle. (date last accessed, April 3, 2011).
Stella Burry Community Services provides a range of services to those who have experienced personal and health challenges which prevent them from fully participating in community life. Personal and group counselling, education and training programmes, housing programmes as well as opportunities for social interaction and fellowship are among the services provided. The housing development provides affordable housing to people with social and emotional health issues, having limited or no work history, or low levels of literacy, to facilitate their integration into the community.
Students exploring inequality in Canada 