City and Partners Announce Affordable Housing Campaign

What does ‘affordable housing’ mean to you? The City and partners would like to have an open dialogue about what affordable housing solutions might look like in your neighbourhood.

A new video and campaign from the City of St. John’s and its community partners in the housing sector asks individuals to consider these and other questions in terms of affordable housing.

“Affordable housing is a critical issue for the City of St. John’s,” says Deputy Mayor Sheilagh O’Leary, lead member of Council on housing. “We appreciate that there may be concerns when an affordable housing solution is proposed for a neighbourhood, but we want people to reflect further on what affordable housing means.”

The new campaign aims to debunk some of the myths associated with affordable housing and to encourage individuals to reflect on their own perceptions and beliefs. NIMBY – or ‘not in my backyard’ - is the resistance to housing projects based on stereotypes, discriminatory attitudes and policies that have the effect of creating barriers for people.

The campaign video describes a typical door on a house in a standard neighbourhood and asks viewers to consider whether or not it matters if that door is on an affordable house. The video is available on the City’s YouTube channel and the campaign, running from now until early in 2021, will run on social media channels.

Quotes

“Addressing these myths and improving affordable housing solutions in our city is not something we can do on our own. We are pleased to be working collaboratively with our community partners on this critical issue.”

• Mayor Danny Breen, City of St. John’s 

“Affordable housing is important for creating healthy, diverse and prosperous neighbourhoods. Unfortunately, stigma, myths and social exclusion sometimes related with affordable housing can impact everyone in a community. We are committed to working with our government and community partners to promote understanding and acceptance of affordable housing in building stronger neighbourhoods and supporting those most in need.”

• Honourable Brian Warr, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation 

“In 2019 the City of St. John’s declared housing as a human right. This bold act solidified its commitment to making an inclusive and welcoming community for all our neighbours. Safe and affordable housing is the foundation for healthy communities. End Homelessness St. John’s is excited to work with the City of St. John’s, our community partners and all residents to make sure everyone in St. John’s has a place to call home.”

• Doug Pawson, Executive Director, End Homelessness St. John’s 

“Ensuring that everyone in our city has access to adequate, safe and affordable housing is not a privilege, but a human right. As economies fluctuate and socioeconomic demographics in our community continue to change, it’s more important than ever to break down stereotypes and leave our judgements at the door. Young, old, or somewhere in between – affordable housing has benefits for all members of our community.”

• Sheldon Pollett, Executive Director, Choices for Youth

“We look forward to continuing to work with the City of St. John’s to ensure everyone can access affordable, safe, and appropriate housing. We also recognize that as Indigenous people we face specific barriers when accessing housing, and that Indigenous-specific Housing and Homelessness interventions are necessary to truly address these challenges.”

• Andrew Harvey, Director of Housing and Social Supports, First Light - St. John’s Friendship Centre 

“As the largest provider of affordable housing outside of the City of St. John’s and Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, we’re committed to increasing our housing stock from 79 to 100 units. We believe that affordable housing in all of our neighbourhoods builds healthier and more inclusive communities. We know firsthand how tenants appreciate having choice in where they live so that they can build a better life for themselves."

• Gail Thornhill, Director of Housing Services, Stella’s Circle