2012 Atlantic Journalism Awards Finalists
Attachments
| Slug/Label | Housing Crisis |
|---|---|
| Date Aired or Published | April 5 |
| Media outlet where first aired or published: | CBC NL |
| Name of Program: | The St. John's Morning Show |
| If co-produced, list partner: | |
| Location: | St. John's |
| List awards, grants: | |
| Running time (TV/Radio): | 8:59 |
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Short explanation of the story and how it developed: Early in 2012, the city of St. John's expropriated a group of run-down housing units in order to make room for an expansion of the St. John's Convention Centre. The units were some of the worst in the entire city, yet living inside were some of the poorest, most marginalized people in St. John's. Addiction and mental illness were common among the residents, yet there were also people who were simply down on their luck. In a fast-growing city with practically no rental vacancies, these were people with literally no place else to go. Yet when the city expropriated the buildings and handed the tenants eviction notices, it made no provisions for the people who lived there. Reporter Zach Goudie knocked on the doors and met the people inside. He was told again and again that he was the only person to knock on the door and inquire about what was happening. No one from the city, or the province which paid the rent through income support, had even contacted the residents, let alone come up with a plan to help them. Goudie first earned the trust of the residents by listening to their stories, then recorded interviews with those who were physically and mentally able. He then vigorously pursued an explanation from the city and the province. This story was broadcast in the morning, and upon it's airing, the city of St. John's sent inspectors into the run-down units. The next day, as a result of the CBC coverage and subsequent inspection, the Mayor announced that the city would work to secure new housing for all affected residents. This story had a happy ending, but it exposed the precarious plight of the poor in an exploding city that was nevertheless leaving many people behind. |
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Resources of the newsroom (money and time) available to complete the story: Reporter Zach Goudie spent a day meeting the individuals appearing in this story, then another day with camera operator Gary Quigley gathering the material. Goudie spent another day editing and writing the item, then presented it on air with Morning Show host Anthony Germain. |
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