
End Homelessness St. John’s is teaming up with 10 local organizations to distribute $1.3 million in federal funding aimed at preventing homelessness. The funds, allocated through the Reaching Home strategy, will be used to create 16 housing-focused case management positions across various groups in Newfoundland and Labrador. These groups include the AIDS Committee of N.L., Choices for Youth, Connections for Seniors, Empower: The Disability Resource Centre, First Light, the John Howard Society of N.L., Quadrangle N.L., Stella’s Circle, the Gathering Place, and Thrive.
Jennifer Tipple, senior director of strategy and impact at End Homelessness St. John’s, explained that the new positions will enhance the capacity of these organizations to manage caseloads and support individuals in securing and maintaining stable housing. The roles will assist with documentation, landlord negotiations, and accessing additional support services like healthcare and groceries.
The initiative responds to the severe housing shortage in Newfoundland and Labrador, where vacancy rates have plummeted from 7.5% to 1.5% since before the COVID-19 pandemic. The decreased availability of rental units, coupled with more selective landlords and some units being withdrawn from the market or converted for short-term use, has exacerbated the challenge. Tipple noted the importance of the funding in addressing the diverse needs of the homeless population, including those from marginalized communities like the 2SLGBTQIA+ group. The funding will be available until March 2028, providing long-term support for combating homelessness in the region.
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