(Above) Left to right: Sherry Gambin Walsh, member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Legislative Assembly, Placentia-St. Mary’s; Premier Dwight Ball; Major John Goulding; MP Seamus O’Regan; and Ken MacDonald, member of Parliament, Avalon

On June 30, the Honourable Dwight Ball, premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, announced that the governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador will invest an additional $1.5 million in The Salvation Army’s Centre of Hope, a redevelopment project that will help individuals in St. John’s move from homelessness to stable affordable housing.

The announcement was made on the site of the new project on Springdale Street in the downtown core. The Salvation Army’s Centre of Hope project will create 20 units of affordable housing as well as provide education, health and addiction services.

This investment is in addition to the $2.5 million announced by both governments in July 2015. The Centre of Hope is a redevelopment project that will replace The Salvation Army’s Harbour Light Centre and Catherine Booth House that had been located on the Springdale Street property.

“We are very committed to working with The Salvation Army, the federal government and all our community partners to help address the diverse housing needs and supports for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness,” said Premier Ball. “The Salvation Army is a deeply-rooted and valued community partner, and our government is pleased to provide support for this worthwhile initiative.”

Also on hand for the event was Seamus O’Regan, member of Parliament for St. John’s South—Mount Pearl, who noted, “These units and the community that supports them are key to a better life for the residents.”

Major John Goulding, then divisional secretary for public relations, Newfoundland and Labrador Division, expressed his gratitude to both governments for their support of the project and vowed that the Army would “give dignity to everyone who comes through our doors.”

Managed by The Salvation Army, the project has also received funding from the Government of Canada’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy and from the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Homelessness Fund.