Converted hotel in St. John's has almost as many staff as formerly homeless residents

Plans are progressing at the former hotel turned transitional housing facility in St. John's.

Designed to provide tenants with support finding stable, long-term housing, 11 people were living at thefacility in late May.

Almost four months later, 43 people live at the facility with almost as many staff hired to help them. That ratio will gradually change, though, as a phased approach to adding services, and therefore residents, continues.

So far, four residents have successfully transitioned to other housing options.

At full operation, the former 140-bed hotelwill house 100 people. A few dozen rooms are beingconverted into spaces for supportive programming, clinic spaces, palliative roomsand offices.

Nearing half capacity, End Homelessness St. John's executive director Doug Pawson said people are moving into the facility every week.

"It's a rolling intake, so we have more people moving in," Pawson told CBC News."Pretty much weekly, three to five folks [are] moving in."

Three-year lease

In January, the provincial government partnered with N.L. Health Services and Clayton Hospitality, the former hotel's owner, to lease the building for $6.9 million per year for three years.

The hotel was already partnering with the province to host Ukrainian refugees and other newcomers.

Formerly closed, the lease opened up an opportunity to turn the hotel into temporary accommodations with wraparound support services to help people transition into permanent housing.

End Homelessness St. John's, the organization spearheading the facility's management, says the facility will operate in four phases.

Pawson said Phase 1, the pre-planning phase, is complete and Phase 2will finish by the end of October.

Phase 2 focuses on staffing and support. The target occupancy at this phase is 50 per centleaving room for around sevenmore people to move in before November.

Pawson said theywill hit their goals for occupancy ahead of schedule.

The phased approach is necessary to the facility's success.

"If we were to commit to everybody moving in all at once, it would be pretty chaotic, and I don't think we'd be able to deliver on the promises that we've made to people, which is this will be safe, this will be supported," he said.

'We've done a really good job'

Forty staff currently work at the facility, includingthe leadership team, security, health-care workers, support staff, cleaners and restaurant workers.

Transportation is available at the facilityoffering two runs a day for residents.

Pawson said they are supplementingthe nearbyMetrobus routes with a contract with a private company"so folks can access amenities in the community."

With spaces transformed into doctors' offices and health-care resources accessible, Pawson said they can take in individuals requiring different degrees of care.

For example, a person in need of palliative care was housed at the facility.

WATCH | 7 months after opening, 100 beds are still available in this St. John's transitional housing facility:

43 people living in former Comfort Inn but still almost 100 beds available in transitional housing

7 days ago

Duration 0:35

Seven months ago, the Newfoundland and Labrador government said the Comfort Inn Hotel near the airport would become a transitional housing facility. Now, 43 people call it home. Doug Pawson, the executive director of End Homelessness St. Johns, tells the CBCs Jenna Head one reason there is still so much available space.

"We're prioritizing those folks who have additional health and housing needs that can't be met in the current system, but could be met there," he said.

Despite receiving some scrutiny from homelessness advocates about the project's timeline, Pawson said he is proud of the work they are doing.

"I think we've done a really good job. I'm really proud of the team and the way we've approached it and committed to a plan and sticking with the plan even in spite of the pressure we're facing."

No purchase plans

The province isn't planning to purchase the facility,and its lease with Clayton Hospitality ends in December 2026.

NDP Leader Jim Dinn supports the project, but he is concerned about its longevity.

"After three years when this lease expires, what then? Because unless we assume that the housing situation is going to be solved by then.I doubt it. What happens to people then?" Dinn said.

Opposition leader Tony Wakeham is asking similar questions.

"Kudos to [End Homelessness] who have taken this on and who are starting to make progress. But again, what happens in three years from now?What's the long-term vision?" Wakeham said.

Wakeham skirtedthe question whenasked whetherhe would buy the hotel if he wereelected as premier.

Despite its potentially short life span, Pawson said they will soon give the building a formal name.

"This project is meant to be an interim measure while other more permanent transitional and supportive living arrangements are in development," said the Housing Department's communications director, Marc Budgell.

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