More funding for Affordable Housing in Newfoundland and Labrador

The federal and provincial governments today announced an additional $10.62 million to create more affordable housing for Newfoundland and Labrador residents most in need.
The signing of Phase II of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Affordable Housing Agreement was announced by the Honourable R. John Efford, Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador, on behalf of the Honourable Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing, and the Honourable Paul Shelley, provincial Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, and Minister responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, and the Honourable Tom Marshall, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.

“This agreement strengthens the Government of Canada’s partnership with the province, and allows us to move forward on our commitment to provide more affordable housing in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Minister Efford. “This additional federal funding demonstrates our continued commitment to help provide safe and strong communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.”

“Our main objective with the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Affordable Housing Agreement has always been to help low-income Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, by building new housing units, and making them affordable,” said Minister Shelley. “We are pleased that the second phase of the Agreement will continue to focus investments on those who need it most.”

Under Phase II, funding will be targeted to areas with considerable housing needs and low-income households who are eligible for social housing. As well, federal assistance for new units will be based on 50 per cent of capital costs to a maximum of $75,000 per unit.

The federal funding under Phase II must also be matched 50:50 by the province, however, up to 10 per cent of the provincial contribution may come from municipalities or others.

Today’s announcement brings the total investment under the Canada — Newfoundland and Labrador Affordable Housing Program Agreement to $40.90 million in funding. This investment is being equally shared by the Government of Canada, and the province of Newfoundland and Labrador

The federal assistance is part of the $1 billion announcement under a 2001 federal-provincial framework, and the 2003 Federal Budget, to create affordable housing.

By 2010, close to 700 affordable housing units will be created or repaired under Phase I and II of the agreement.

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For further information, please contact:

Jenny Bowring
Manager, Corporate Communications
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
(709) 724-3055
E-mail: releases@nlhc.nf.ca

Dawn Ring
Marketing and Communications Consultant
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
(709) 772-5973

6.9 million Residential Energy Efficiency Program unveiled

A new Residential Energy Efficiency Program will assist low-income households to reduce home heating costs by making homes more energy efficient and encouraging better energy conservation practices. Over the next five years, government will invest $6.9 million in the second component of its plan to address rising home heating costs. The new program was unveiled at a news conference today by Tom Osborne, Minister of Environment and Conservation, and Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC).

“Long-term solutions to rising home heating costs are found by making homes more energy efficient and encouraging better energy conservation practices – such practices will help households to reduce heating costs and thereby save money. And, that is the overall goal of our Residential Energy Efficiency Program,” said Minister Osborne. “Households which avail of this program may save as much as 25 per cent on home heating costs, and that will be a real help to low-income individuals and families.”

“The new Residential Energy Efficiency Program, coupled with the home heating fuel rebate, is a solid and strategic plan. This will assist Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with the rising heating costs both in the immediate and longer terms,” said Minister Shelley.

Administered by NLHC, individuals and families with a household income level of $30,000 or less who use either home heating fuel or electricity as the primary heating source may be eligible for initiatives under the new program. The program includes:

• up to $200 grant for furnace testing and tune-ups, which can help reduce home heating fuel consumption by 20 per cent;
• $1,000 top-up for the new federal EnerGuide program for low-income families, which will help families save up to 25 per cent on heating costs;
• real time power meters for 3,000 households in the province, which will help households monitor energy consumption and reduce energy costs by up to 20 per cent; and
• energy efficiency training courses for contractors and homeowners.

“As a government, we always need to consider how policies relate and impact the individuals they are meant to assist,” said Minister Shelley. “In this case, I am pleased to see that these initiatives and measures are also in keeping with the integrated, comprehensive approach government is taking in the development of its provincial poverty strategy. Through this energy program, we’re providing options to low-income households that can help reduce energy use, keep home-heating costs affordable, and keep people in their homes.”
Minister Osborne explained that this new program also complements the provincial Climate Change Action Plan. “Under that plan, government committed to promote energy efficiency in public and low-income housing. The new program launched today will help low-income families save money on their home heating bills, and help to reduce greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. It is a solid step to addressing climate change in Newfoundland and Labrador,” he said.

The Residential Energy Efficiency Program complements government’s $9 million investment to expand the home heating fuel rebate initiative announced in October, and brings government’s total investment to address rising home heating costs to almost $16 million.

Media contact:

Diane Keough
Department of Environment and Conservation
(709) 729-2575, 685-4401

Jenny Bowring
NLHC
(709) 724-3055
E-mail: releases@nlhc.nf.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Residential Energy Efficiency Program

The Residential Energy Efficiency Program is available to families in the province with a household income level of $30,000 or less which use either home heating fuel (furnace fuel, stove oil, propane) or electricity as the primary heating source. It will be administered and delivered by Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC).

Over the next five years, government will invest $6.9 million in the program and approximately 5,000 households are expected to avail of the new initiatives.

Components of the Residential Energy Efficiency Program include:

• A grant up to $200 will be provided for furnace upgrades and tune-ups. Improved combustion efficiency can yield as much as a 20 per cent reduction in fuel consumption, providing immediate savings. The grants will be available to homeowners in January 2006.
• A $1,000 top-up for the federal government’s new EnerGuide program for low-income housing. The $1,000 grant will be available to coincide with the start of the federal program anticipated in January 2006. This initiative is available to houses built prior to 1980, and having an income of $30,000 or less. This is in keeping with the regulations of the federal program.
• Real time power meters will be installed in 3,000 homes whose primary heating source is electricity. Government will purchase the power meters through tender call and will offer the meters to low-income homeowners at a nominal cost. The power meter acts as an awareness tool, whereby a homeowner can read how much energy is being consumed and how much it is costing them at any given time. It is estimated that the meters can help provide between 10 and 20 per cent energy savings. The real time power meters will be available to homeowners in January 2006.
• Energy efficiency training courses will be offered to contractors and homeowners. Further course details will be available through NLHC in February 2006.
• Application forms for the Residential Energy Efficiency Program will be available in January 2006 from any NLHC office around the province, or may be downloaded from the NLHC Web site at www.nlhc.nf.ca.