Auditor general to launch probe into N.L.'s beleaguered housing system

The Newfoundland and Labrador government's handling of housing issues will undergo further scrutiny as the auditor general prepares to put it under the microscope.

Denise Hanrahan said staff in her office are beginning to gather information "related to how they are managing their housing unit inventory and any other topics in that area."

The auditor general recently wrote the CEO of the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation to advise thata performance audit is planned, with details still being worked out.

"It could be a variety of topics in there, until we get a chance to chat with them and really understand their business and what they do with respect to managing the supply of housing," Hanrahan said.

The AG said that work is in the preliminary stages, and it will take a few months to determine the scope of the audit. A report is expected to be done within a year after that.

• The housing minister said 750 new homes have been built in 2 years. It's less ... much less

Independent MHA Paul Lane said he recently wrote the auditor general to call for a reviewand was pleased to find out the process is already underway.

"I don't think the government has a good handle on it," Lane said in an interview.

He understands that work will take some timebut hopes the premier and the minister will do more, immediately, to address the province's housing crisis, he said.

"The time for talking is long past, and the time for action is now."

PCs prod premier on Pike's portfolio

At the House of Assembly on Thursday afternoon, the Tories took aim at the minister in charge of the housing file.

Opposition leader Tony Wakeham addressed reporters before proceedings began at the legislature, to raise questions about the performance of Social Development Minister Paul Pike.

"When you have a minister of the Crown who refuses to answer questions, or is not allowed to answer questions in the House of Assembly, when you have a minister of the Crown who refuses to come and meet with the media and talk about this crisis, or is not allowed to come and meet with the media, then we have a lack of confidence," Wakeham said.

After question period began, the PC leader upped the ante.

"I ask the premier, will you show leadership and replace your minister of housing immediately?" Wakeham said.

Premier Andrew Furey replied by acknowledging that housing is "a real crisis across the province," while noting the government's approaches to tackle the issue.

Housing minister assumed shelters in good shape before people given units, but photos showed otherwise

12 months ago

Duration 3:00

After several days of not speaking to reporters, Housing Minister Paul Pike answered questions Thursday about people who had been living in tents that were moved into for-profit shelters. They showed photos of dirt, rat feces and broken appliances. Pike said a consultant has been hired to examine all of the provinces shelters, because Newfoundland and Labrador currently has no minimum standard for shelters.

Wakeham then cited CBCreports about what he called "deplorable conditions" faced by those sent from the tent city near Confederation Building to a private shelter.

"They report rat feces on the floor, rat poison near cooking utensils and violence," Wakeham said.

"Not the safe, stable homes that the people were looking for."

Wakeham asked the premier whether government officials had inspected the shelter before sending people there.

Furey replied that regular inspections are doneand he's looking for answers about how this happened.

"I've already asked the department and Newfoundland and Labrador Housing to review that situation that was reported," the premier said.

"It is unacceptable. It was troubling for many of us to watch."

'I wanted to try and make a difference'

The housing minister has faced increasing pressure in the wake of CBC News revelations about comments he made at a housing-related announcement in Gander earlier this month.

"In the last two years we've built 750 new homes in this province," Pike said at the time.

Asked where those new homes were, he said, "They're right across the province, in every community we've been building these homes, and the 750 mark is something that we were striving to get to."

According to data from the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, the number of completed social housing units ready for occupancy is actually 11.

Pike later apologized, saying he misspoke.

On Thursday afternoon, Pike appeared before reporters to address those Tory calls for his removal.

"Of course, when I decided, and the premier decided as well, to put me into this position, I was really pleased, because I wanted to try and make a difference," he said.

"The fact that I misspoke at one time, if that's going to be my legacy, then that's not what I want."

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