St. John’s, NL (April 8, 2025) –  Joedy Wall, PC Official Opposition Critic for Housing and MHA for Cape St. Francis, is voicing his concerns over the latest decision by the Liberal Government to tear down more housing units on Livingstone Street in St. John’s that were damaged by fire in March. 

Wall has been critical of the Liberal Government over the consistent 200 NLHC units that are vacant and in need of repairs, while some 3,000 low-income families wait for housing.  There is currently a 1.5% vacancy rate in St. John’s as rent costs have exploded amid tight inventories.

“The waitlist has doubled in the past five years while these units sat empty for several months and became vandalized,” said Wall.  “It is ironic that another four units in the neighborhood were sold off by the Liberals after sitting empty for over a year.  Why can’t we get these units fixed and give families keys?”

Wall has heard there are vacant tradespeople positions at NLHC offices around the province, resulting in long delays in renovating units. Government has also failed to properly engage contractors despite numerous photos ops and media spin.

“The numbers don’t lie.  The Liberals have consistently failed to properly manage our housing inventory.  Let’s not forget that this Government allowed 32 Units in Corner Brook to decay and  they had to be torn down,” said Wall. “And while the Minister of the day boasted about 750 new homes constructed, media exposed the truth to be only 11.”

Wall said the current Liberal  Government has a record of misrepresentation and mismanagement.

“It is time for new leadership in our province. A new Tony Wakeham PC Government will provide that leadership.  We will stop tearing down homes that are desperately needed.  Instead, we will fix the NLHC units we have and turn keys over to families in search of a home.”