Twin Cities News

“The City did sign onto the Housing Accelerator Fund last year, which spells out some provisions they can use to make affordable housing more incentivized to get developed.” – Doug Pawson, executive director, End Homelessness St. John’s

Adam Rose
Twin Cities News

The streets of St. John’s have become a place nobody wants to call home.

But the number of homeless people is a growing concern.

According to the latest End Homelessness St. John’s, there were 258 individuals experiencing homelessness in August 2023. 

The group says homelessness is quite often underreported and that the actual number is higher.

The organization estimates more than 800 people experience homelessness in St. John’s per year.

Youth made up 38 per cent of those experiencing homelessness in 2022. Also in 2022, three per cent of individuals experiencing homelessness identified as Indigenous, 35 per cent identified as female, and 62 per cent identified as male.

According to one man outside the Wiseman Centre, a homeless shelter in St. John’s, many of his homeless friends are “discarded like trash,” having to sleep on the streets.

Some of the men said they had difficulty obtaining a room at the centre. One reason is the fear of exceeding the maximum number of people allowable under fire code regulations.

Another reason is the violation of the rules, such as prohibitions against smoking, drug use and violent behaviour. 

Some men who stay at the Wiseman Centre said they are waiting for permanent housing and feel their voices are being ignored. They said they feel that they are discarded like garbage because they are addicted to opioid drugs that the government approved in the past.

Some of the homeless men also said because they are on social services, now known as income support through the Department of Seniors and Children Services, they are being pushed to the bottom of the list for permanent housing.

Some homeless men said Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation are supposed to help homeless people, but they feel like it doesn’t.

According to an application form for public housing, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation requires 25 percent of an applicant’s income.

According to Doug Pawson at End Homelessness, the city last year signed onto a Housing Accelerator Fund program, which spells out some provisions the city can use to incentivize developers to build affordable housing. .

At the provincial level, there have been no decisions on rent or vacancy controls. The province did announce a five-point housing plan in 2024, but that plan is not solely for affordable housing. 

Pawson said his organization takes a human rights approach to ending homelessness with partner organizations.

“Working together ensures those folks experiencing homelessness will have access to equitable service delivery at any organization in the community.,” said Pawson.

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Courtesy of Kicker News (College of the North Atlantic)

The article will be updated at a later date.