Ottawa expanding N.L. housing benefit to help survivors of gender-based violence

A partnership between Newfoundland and Labrador and the federal government will expand the Canada Housing Benefit to include additional funding to help house people fleeing from gender-based violence.

A total of $17.1 million will be spent over five years, and Housing Minister John Abbott telling reporters on Thursday the province expects the money to support over 580 people in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"We have applications already on file, we are approving those as we speak. And so right from the get-go, we will be able to place individuals with this financial support in safe housing," Abbott said at a news conference announcing the funding.

"Our goal is that once they are safe, programs like the expansion of the Canadian Housing Benefit will help them in the next steps of their journey, helping them to secure safe, affordable housing and allowing them to move forward with their lives in a positive way."

Abbott said the waitlist for people seeking housing as they flee violence is in the hundreds. The province is supporting 2,300 people through the Canada Housing Benefit, he said, which has allowed more than 550 families to secure housing through the private rental market since 2021.

Newfoundland and Labrador MP Gudie Hutchings said the funding comes in a time of "tragic need" 37 per cent of women in the province have been a victim of physical or sexual assault after the age of 15, she said.

WATCH | Goal of funding is to let people leave safer lives, says Women and Gender Equality Minister Pam Parsons:

$17M in housing benefits will go a long way to help gender-based survivors find safe places to stay

2 days ago

Duration 1:02

Federal and provincial politicians announced a pot of $17 million over the next five years. The money will help people fleeing abusive situations find places to live in the private rental market, says Pam Parsons, the provincial minister responsible for women.

Pam Parsons, the province's minister of women and gender equality, said she's happy to see funding specifically for women and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals.

"[Stakeholders] hear the stories, they see the situations, and the thing everybody says is that women don't leave. They don't leave their violent situations, their violent homes, because there is no option. They don't have that safe, secure place where they can go to escape the violence and to start over," she said.

"Unfortunately there is a need. That's unfortunate, but it's important that the resources are there. This will go a long way."

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