Housing Needs Assessment
The Town of Portugal Cove–St. Philip’s is undertaking a Housing Needs Assessment and we want to hear from you.
Housing looks different for every household. Whether you’re a long-time homeowner, a renter, a young adult hoping to stay in the community where you grew up, or a senior looking to downsize without leaving the town you call home, your experience is part of the picture we’re building.
What is a Housing Needs Assessment?
A Housing Needs Assessment is a research report that looks at the current state of housing in a community – who lives there, what kind of housing exists, what it costs, and where the gaps are – and uses that information to project what the town will need over the next 5 and 10 years.
It’s not a zoning bylaw or a construction plan. It’s the evidence base that helps Council make better-informed decisions on the things that shape housing in Portugal Cove–St. Philip’s: infrastructure, rezoning applications, subdivision approvals, building regulations, and municipal policy.
Why now?
Portugal Cove–St. Philip’s is a growing community. Our proximity to St. John’s, our rural character, and our established neighbourhoods continue to attract new residents, but as in many communities across the country, that growth brings pressure. Housing here is still predominantly large, single-detached homes on low-density lots. Residents value this character, and many have also been clear that they’re feeling the effects of rising costs and limited housing options.
Those two things aren’t necessarily in conflict, but understanding how to balance them is exactly what this assessment is for. A comprehensive, evidence-based look at housing supply, demand, and affordability will help the Town plan sustainably, support residents across every stage of life, and make sure future growth reflects what our community actually needs.
What it covers
This assessment combines municipal data, provincial and federal housing statistics, and direct input from residents and stakeholders to build a full picture of housing in the Town, including:
- Community and demographic trends, population growth, age, household size, and income
- Current housing supply, the types, ages, and values of homes already in the Town, and how that supply has changed in recent years
- Housing affordability and need, where residents are being priced out, underserved, or unable to find suitable housing
- Priority populations; the specific housing challenges facing seniors, young adults, single parents, people with disabilities, newcomers, and others
- 5-year and 10-year projections, including how much housing and what kind the Town will need going forward
- Recommendations and practical policy and program options for Council to consider
Get involved
This Housing Needs Assessment should reflect the experiences of the people who know our community best. Throughout the project, we’re inviting residents, businesses, service providers, and community organizations to share their perspectives in a variety of ways, including:
- A community survey– a short questionnaire on your own housing situation and experience. Take the survey, https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K7YKV92
- Stakeholder and community conversations with housing providers, community organizations, and residents facing the greatest housing barriers
- Direct input any time – share your thoughts on housing or indicate interest in a 1-1 conversation with the research team. Here’s how:
Email [email protected] using the subject line “Housing Needs Assessment Feedback – <FIRST NAME> <LAST NAME>”
However you choose to take part, every voice helps ensure this assessment reflects the real experiences of people in Portugal Cove–St. Philip’s, not just the numbers.
Contact Ashley for further information or questions.
