LABRADOR CITY, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR — Hope Haven, a new shelter and resource facility for women and their children who are escaping domestic abuse and violence has officially opened. The facility received $625,000 from the Government of Canada through the Youth component of the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI), $112,000 through the Shelter Enhancement Program which is cost-shared 75/25 between Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), and a Proposal Development Funding loan of over $17,000 through CMHC’s Canadian Centre for Public Private Partnerships.The project was officially opened today. Graham Letto, Mayor of Labrador City, Jim Farrell, Mayor of Wabush and Marsha Power Slade, Administrator of Hope Haven attended the opening ceremonies.
“I am very pleased to be associated with the many exciting programs and services being undertaken throughout Newfoundland and Labrador as a result of the National Homelessness Initiative, and in this case, also the Shelter Enhancement Program of our national housing agency, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation” said Lawrence O’Brien, Member of Parliament for Labrador. “The Government of Canada is proud to support this very worthwhile project that will provide emergency shelter and support services to women and their children in the Labrador West area.” he added.
This project results in the creation of four large wheelchair accessible bedrooms with two bathrooms, administrative offices and activity rooms; and provides women access to computer equipment, library resources, a 24-hour crisis line and other resource and referral programs. The new facility offers safe and secure shelter and support services and can accommodate up to 225 women and children annually.
Key supporters of the project also include the past and present members of the Hope Haven Board of Directors and staff, the Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOCC), the Department of Health and Community Services, the Department of Human Resources and Employment, the Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, Wabush Mines, and many other interested individuals and groups within the community.
“I am very pleased that NLHC has been supportive of this project and commend everyone involved for the creation of this vital new facility which provides the necessary supports for women and children,” said Gerry Kennedy. “On behalf of Minister Burke, I am pleased to share in the official opening of Hope Haven.”
“This is a day that has been in the making for a long time,” said Graham Letto, Mayor of Labrador City. “On behalf of Council, I want to congratulate everyone who worked hard to make this vital shelter a reality. It is a comfort to know that we now have a suitable haven for women and children who need this support in our community.”
“Everyone involved with this shelter should be proud of the facility that has been many years in the making,” said Jim Farrell, Mayor of Wabush. “It’s a very positive day for our community and we are pleased to share in this event recognizing the dedicated work of many individuals.”
Marsha Power Slade of Hope Haven said the new facility will greatly benefit women and their children. “We will be able to better serve the women of Labrador West at this new facility. I know it will be welcomed by everyone concerned, and I want to thank the past and present Board Members and staff, three levels of government, local organizations, the corporate community and individuals who supported us in this endeavour,” she said.
A volunteer Board of Directors governs the Hope Haven and is dedicated to realizing the success of the project. The directors bring with them a broad range of skills and expertise required to successfully oversee its completion and operation.
“This funding furthers the Government of Canada’s commitment to continue working together with community groups, such as Hope Haven, the private sector and all levels of government to find local solutions to address homelessness,” stated Minister Bradshaw.
The Government of Canada launched the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI) in December 1999 to support communities’ efforts to help Canadians out of homelessness. From 1999 to 2006, $1.5 billion is being spent towards the federal government’s commitment to addressing homelessness in Canada. More than $4 million has been accessed for homelessness projects in Newfoundland and Labrador. The NHI is working towards making a difference by using a community-based approach to help reduce homelessness.
The Shelter Enhancement Program assists in repairing, rehabilitating and improving existing shelters for victims of family violence, as well as providing financial assistance for acquiring or building new shelters and second-stage housing. The Proposal Development Funding is an interest-free loan to help housing proponents with the up-front expenses of developing a housing proposal.
Funding for these projects was provided for in the 2004 federal Budget.
-30-
Since December 1999, communities across Canada have undertaken over 1,800 projects, funded wholly or in part by the National Homelessness Initiative. These projects will result in:
The Government of Canada, through CMHC, also spends approximately $2 billion each year primarily in support of some 636,000 lower-income households.In Newfoundland and Labrador, some $64 million is spent each year, primarily in support of some 13,000 housing units that are occupied by lower income families, seniors, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal people, and victims of family violence.
For more information on the Government of Canada’s:
For more information, contact:
Lorne Lambert
Government of Canada
(709) 772-5346
Denis D’Amour
Minister Bradshaw’s Office
(506) 851-3419
Marsha Slade Power
Hope Haven
(709) 944-7124
Jenny Bowering
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
(709) 724-3055
E-mail: releases@nlhc.nf.ca
The three-year extension of the federal Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) and related programs, between the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador will continue to help low-income households including seniors, persons with disabilities and Aboriginal people repair their dwellings to minimum health and safety levels. In Newfoundland and Labrador, this program is delivered under the Provincial Home Repair Program (PHRP). This program, cost-shared between the federal and provincial governments, approximately $12.41 million will be provided through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) over the next three years. In 2004/05, Newfoundland and Labrador will supplement the federal government’s contribution for program delivery by approximately $4.0 million. The program provides funding to repair and improve the accessibility of the housing stock in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The announcement was made today by the Honourable John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources and the Honourable Joan Burke, provincial minister responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.
“The Government of Canada, through CMHC, is committed to rehabilitating housing in need of repair for low income households,” said Minister Efford. “This is an important part of our national affordable housing strategy to preserve and enhance the existing housing stock. It is also an effective and responsible way of supporting sustainable development through the rehabilitation of existing buildings.”
“This province has always valued a cost-shared renovation program that would allow us to assist low-income homeowners,” Minister Burke added. “We are very pleased with the federal government’s three-year extension to the program.”
The funding continues RRAP’s 30-year legacy of effective, flexible partnerships with provincial governments, to cost share and deliver the federal/provincial repair programs. The 2003 program renewal was based on an evaluation and national consultation on ways to enhance the program.
-30-
For more information:
Jenny Bowring
NLHC, (709) 724-3055
Deborah Taylor
CMHC
(613) 748-2586
FACT SHEET – RENOVATION PROGRAMS
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s existing renovation programs, which help low-income Canadians, were extended by $384 million.
Improvements to the federal renovation programs were implemented recently to ensure the program is more effective in serving those most in need, including low income Canadians living in substandard housing, seniors, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal people and victims of family violence. The changes were made following consultations and an extensive evaluation of the renovation programs.
The changes provide for an increase in maximum assistance limits based on current housing renovation costs and for a change in the calculation of total household income in recognition of the additional costs faced by persons with disabilities.
Provincial Home Repair Program Components
Provincial Home Repair – Homeowner
This program provides up to $5,000 per unit ($6,500 in Labrador) in assistance to low-income homeowners, who own and occupy substandard housing, to enable them to undertake emergency repairs or to bring their dwellings up to a minimum level of health and safety.
Provincial Home Repair – Persons with Disabilities/Seniors
This program provides up to $5,000 per unit ($6,500 in Labrador) in assistance to homeowners and landlords to modify existing buildings to accommodate low- income persons with disabilities, or to pay for minor home adaptations that will enable low-income seniors to live independently in their homes.
Provincial Home Repair Program – Rental/Rooming House
This program is targeted to non-profit community-based landlords of affordable housing to pay for mandatory repairs to units and beds occupied by low-income tenants.
Shelter Enhancement Program
The program assists in repairing, rehabilitating and improving existing shelters for victims of family violence; and in acquiring or building new shelters and second- stage housing where needed.
Conversion RRAP
This program provides financial assistance for the conversion of non-residential property into units or beds to create affordable housing for low-income households.
-30-
For further information, contact:
Jenny Bowring
NLHC
(709) 724-3055
E-mail: releases@nlhc.nf.ca