Auditor general raises concerns over management of social housing inventory

Newfoundland and Labrador’s auditor general is raising serious concerns about the province’s ability to manage and deliver social housing, citing systemic issues, outdated policies and weak oversight within the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.

In a performance audit tabled in the House of Assembly this week, Denise Hanrahan said the corporation is struggling to effectively carry out its mandate and meet growing demand for housing.

Hanrahan said the number of households on the waitlist for social housing rose sharply during the four-year audit period, increasing from 1,523 to 2,603 — a 71 per cent jump. Over the same period, the overall supply of housing units declined by 57, leaving inventory levels unchanged from 2008.

“I have deep concerns about the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation’s ability to effectively carry out its mandate with respect to social rental housing,” Hanrahan said. “More importantly, I am extremely concerned about the Corporation’s ability to support the people and families it serves.”

The Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, the province’s sole housing authority, is responsible for more than 5,500 social housing units. As of June 2025, its portfolio included 5,248 units housing 12,198 tenants, along with 222 vacant units and 72 units unavailable for use.

The audit found the corporation’s policies and procedures are either outdated or insufficient to address key challenges, including rising demand, inventory management and oversight.

Hanrahan said the corporation also failed to consistently monitor its housing stock, with required inspections not always completed and delays between tenant occupancy sometimes stretching for months.

She warned that without significant improvements to governance, data quality, planning and demand forecasting, the corporation will remain limited in its ability to provide timely access to housing.