Affordable Housing Strategy

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The 10-Year City of St. John’s Affordable Housing Strategy was approved by Council on Nov. 19, 2018. This strategy is a ten-year plan that continues and expands from the 2014-2017 Affordable Housing Business Plan’s mandate that ‘Housing is a human right.'


As projects are identified, they will be featured on this page.

Affordable housing is a foundation for a safe, prosperous and healthy community.

The City’s first Affordable Housing Business Plan (AHBP), Creating Opportunities, Housing Our Community, was approved by Council in 2014 and ran until September 2017. The Plan was based on the City’s core belief that housing is a human right and that everyone needs and deserves a home that is affordable to them.

To continue this commitment to affordable housing - a new 10-year Affordable Housing Strategy was developed for the City of St. John’s.

To be affordable, housing must cost less than 30% of pre-tax household income including housing and related costs. For renters, shelter costs include rent and utilities. For owners, shelter costs include mortgage payments, property taxes, condominium fees and utilities.

The City has a long history of leadership in this field, including the creation and management of affordable housing for over 400 households since 1982. In the past decade, the cost of rental and home ownership has risen very sharply and there is much work to be done. Our City can't make advancements in housing alone. We must develop partnerships - governments, social organizations, builders – we all have a role to play.


The 10-Year City of St. John’s Affordable Housing Strategy was approved by Council on Nov. 19, 2018. This strategy is a ten-year plan that continues and expands from the 2014-2017 Affordable Housing Business Plan’s mandate that ‘Housing is a human right.'


As projects are identified, they will be featured on this page.

Affordable housing is a foundation for a safe, prosperous and healthy community.

The City’s first Affordable Housing Business Plan (AHBP), Creating Opportunities, Housing Our Community, was approved by Council in 2014 and ran until September 2017. The Plan was based on the City’s core belief that housing is a human right and that everyone needs and deserves a home that is affordable to them.

To continue this commitment to affordable housing - a new 10-year Affordable Housing Strategy was developed for the City of St. John’s.

To be affordable, housing must cost less than 30% of pre-tax household income including housing and related costs. For renters, shelter costs include rent and utilities. For owners, shelter costs include mortgage payments, property taxes, condominium fees and utilities.

The City has a long history of leadership in this field, including the creation and management of affordable housing for over 400 households since 1982. In the past decade, the cost of rental and home ownership has risen very sharply and there is much work to be done. Our City can't make advancements in housing alone. We must develop partnerships - governments, social organizations, builders – we all have a role to play.


  • Projects from the Affordable Housing Strategy

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    During the life of this strategy, various projects will be pursued to achieve the goals outlined. To stay up to date, and provide feedback on projects as they are in planning mode, check out the project pages below.

    28 Eric Street - updated May 3, 2021

    Home is Home Campaign


  • 10-Year Affordable Housing Strategy released

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    The 10-Year City of St. John’s Affordable Housing Strategy was approved by Council on Nov. 19, 2018. This strategy is a ten-year plan that continues and expands from the original 2014 Affordable Housing Business Plan’s mandate that ‘Housing is a human right. All people need and deserve a home in which they can afford to live, and the City should work to ensure such housing opportunities exist.’

    Affordable housing is one of the most pressing issues nationally. People across the income spectrum find it increasingly difficult to secure suitable, adequate and affordable housing. Through this new strategy, the City will leverage its own municipal resources to support and compliment solutions of other levels of governments. By working collaboratively with our government partners, each unlocking unique available resources, we will maximize impact and multiply our efforts.

    To fully address St. John’s housing needs, the new strategy has been developed with the vision of looking internally while working in-step with partners, stakeholders and residents to create and maintain safe, suitable, and affordable housing throughout the city. The City realizes the importance of working with the private sector to build the affordable housing inventory, and the new strategy will continue to create opportunities that encourage investment and inspire innovation.


    The strategy recognizes that households have different housing needs based on size, employment, ability, health, income, stage in life, and a host of other factors. Affordable housing stock is about creating a range of housing choices.

    The new City of St. John’s Affordable Housing Strategy is built on a strong foundation of public engagement and research on current local housing situation and emerging trends and it focuses on six strategic directions lined with actions:

    · Unlocking Resources

    · Building Homes

    · Leading Innovation

    · Revitalizing Policy

    · Cultivating Partnership

    · Informing Action

    Guided by this new strategy, and with the continued support of the Affordable Housing Working Group, the City of St. John’s will continue to be a leader in affordable housing solutions and build strong partnerships to produce, protect and promote affordable housing for the people of St. John’s. We all have a role to play in helping our communities thrive.


  • Public Comments open: 10 -Year Affordable Housing Strategy

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    A draft 10-year Affordable Housing Strategy has been developed for the City of St. John’s and is open for public review and comment until Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018.

    The City's Affordable Housing Strategy is built upon public and strategic stakeholder engagement, and the implementation strategies will be guided and shaped by multi-stakeholder partnerships and processes.
    Comments gathered may inform the strategy.

    The final 10-year Affordable Housing Strategy is set to be released near the end of November 2018.

  • What we Heard released January 18, 2018

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    The City of St. John’s released a What we Heard document on January 18, 2018, following a public engagement process which took place between May and June 2017, and was designed to help inform the next 10 year Affordable Housing Strategy.

    The City’s first Affordable Housing Business Plan (AHBP), Creating Opportunities, Housing Our Community, was a 4 year plan which concluded in 2017.

    A number of themes emerged throughout the City’s engagement process, including:

    • Demographic realities

    • Housing needs

    • The importance of accessibility

    • Energy efficiency as a function of affordability

    • Transportation costs

    • Partnerships

    The information obtained through the consultation process will be used to help inform the new 10 Year Affordable Housing Strategy. The strategy is being developed in consultation the Affordable Housing Working Group. It will presented to Council and shared with the public for feedback before being officially adopted.
Page last updated: 10 Feb 2022, 10:13 AM