End Homelessness St. John’s says it accepted the responsibility of running Horizons 106, knowing that the transitional housing project carried “significant operational, financial, reputational, and political risk.”

The organization was responding to the Auditor General’s findings that show the operation cost far more than reported and that the average cost associated with 34 residents who have gone through the facility and back into the community was more than $700,000 a person.

That figure is resonating with many in the community, however former minister Fred Hutton believes it is unfair to apply accounting principles to the needs of the people involved.

End Homelessness St. John’s says it remains committed to addressing a lack of affordable, safe housing in the community, and its focus is on the people involved.

Executive Director Doug Pawson says they remain committed to “transparency, accountability and….learning” as they work with residents, other organizations and governments to strengthen the response to homelessness.