The provincial government has unveiled a framework to find new homes and supports for people living at Horizons at 106, the St. John’s transitional housing facility scheduled to close at the end of the year.
Three tiers of support, 75 units to be procured
On Friday, Housing Minister Joedy Wall announced the province is seeking service providers through three requests for proposals (RFPs) to deliver a mix of housing and community-based support aimed at relocating residents before the lease expires on Dec. 31.
The procurement calls for a total of 75 units, grouped into three distinct levels of service based on individual needs:
- 30 light-touch units with a few in-home support visits per week
- 25 moderate units with at least five in-home visits weekly
- 20 intensive units staffed around the clock
| Support Level | Number of Units | Service Description |
|---|---|---|
| Light touch | 30 | Couple of in-home visits per week |
| Moderate | 25 | At least five in-home visits per week |
| Intensive | 20 | 24/7 staffing |
Minister Wall said the three support levels were established after meetings between Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation staff and every resident at Horizons at 106 to assess needs.
"I said from the very onset that no one would be left behind, that people would get the proper supports that are needed,"
He told reporters the intent is to move people into appropriate housing with supports tailored to their circumstances.
Background and context
The move follows an earlier provincial decision in spring to not renew the lease for Horizons at 106, a transitional facility run by End Homelessness St. John’s. The government cited cost-effectiveness concerns when announcing it would not continue leasing the site.
At the time, the province said it planned to rehouse the facility’s residents — originally reported as 59 people — by the lease end date. Friday’s announcement expands that target to procure 75 units, reflecting the model the province wants to put in place.
Representatives for End Homelessness St. John’s and advocacy groups have said the uncertainty has been difficult for residents. The shelter has provided a bridge for people experiencing homelessness, and its closure raises concerns about continuity of care and housing stability.
What the RFPs mean and next steps
The three RFPs seek providers capable of delivering the housing and varying intensities of in-home or on-site supports. The procurement process will determine who operates the units and how supports are delivered in practice.
- Providers will be expected to offer community-based supports tailored to each support level.
- The province plans to have residents rehoused by the lease end date of Dec. 31.
- Details about specific sites for the new units or funding arrangements were not released on Friday.
Housing policy observers note the challenge in replacing congregate transitional spaces with scattered-site units that require wraparound services. Success depends on timely procurement, effective case management and the availability of community supports.
Local impact and practical considerations
For residents of Horizons at 106, the announced plan offers a pathway to permanent or longer-term housing with supports rather than a simple displacement. However, advocates stress the importance of transparent communication, continuity of care and quick mobilization so that people do not fall through the cracks during the transition.
Residents and service providers will be watching the procurement timeline closely. With the lease ending in just over four months, the province faces a compressed schedule to award contracts, secure units and phase individuals into new homes while maintaining supports.
As the process unfolds, municipal partners, community agencies and service providers will play a key role in delivering the supports envisioned by the province. The coming weeks should clarify where the units will be located, who will manage them and how residents’ day-to-day needs will be met.
The government’s announcement is the latest chapter in Newfoundland and Labrador’s ongoing efforts to address homelessness through a mix of housing and support services. Whether the planned procurement will translate into a smooth transition for Horizons residents remains to be seen.
