For Immediate Release
22 November, 2022
November 22nd is National Housing Day. With winter approaching, NL NDP Leader and MHA for St. John’s Centre, Jim Dinn, says that in Newfoundland and Labrador, the housing crisis is at an all-time high and is calling for improved access to housing.
“Whether you rent or own, secure, adequate, accessible and affordable housing is your right,” said Dinn. “We are facing a serious shortage of social and affordable housing and a number of units have deteriorated. The situation in indigenous communities is particularly alarming.”
The intake statistics from April to September of this year for Iris Kirby House, a shelter for women fleeing domestic abuse, are jarring:
· Admissions: 74 (24 family admissions)
· Turn aways: 211
· Distress Calls: 527
End Homeslessness St. John’s for the month of September reported:
· Individuals Experiencing Homelessness: 225
· Current Chronically Homeless Individuals: 104
The NL NDP will continue to press government for investments in housing and homelessness supports. The provincial government must call on Ottawa for indexed and more funding to meet the needs of the groups who are working to end homelessness.
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For further information, contact Eddy St. Coeur, Director of Communications, NDP Caucus at 729-2137 (o), or eddystcoeur@gov.nl.ca