A major housing milestone was celebrated today as Choices for Youth (Choices), along with its government, community and corporate partners came together to officially open the Lilly Building, St. John’s first affordable housing facility for male and female youth facing homelessness.
“It’s truly an amazing feeling to now walk through the doors of the Lilly Building and see youth feeling at home and receiving the support they need to improve their lives and open themselves to a future that is bright and promising,” said Sheldon Pollett, Executive Director of Choices for Youth. “The Lilly Building is an example of the direction Choices is moving in to provide longer term housing as well as educational and employment programs under one roof. I hope everyone involved in this project looks at it with the same pride as I do.”
The project has received a total of $2.3 million in funding from various federal-provincial initiatives to offset construction costs. This includes $900,000 under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Affordable Housing Program, cost-shared 50/50 with the federal and provincial governments. Newfoundland Labrador Housing contributed $680,000 through the Housing Trust Funds. The project received $595,000 from the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, and $164,000 from the federal-provincial Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program. The project also received Seed Funding from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to assist during the initial planning stages.
In addition, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has invested a further $1,113,000. This includes $550,000 in operational funding from the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment’s Supportive Living Community Partnership Program and another $103,000 in programming funding. The Department of Environment and Conservation provided $400,000 through the Newfoundland and Labrador Green Fund to address energy efficiency measures that were undertaken during project renovation. The Department of Health and Community Services also contributed $60,000 for employment program costs. The Williams Government’s total contribution to the Lilly Building project is $2.3 million.
“Our government is truly proud to be supporting this important initiative,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, who represented the Provincial Government at the opening. “Once again, Choices for Youth has come through for the youth of our province who find themselves in need of a stable, safe place to call home – a place where they can access the supports they need to better their lives.”
Speaking on behalf of the Government of Canada, Senator Fabian Manning said, “Our government is giving a hand-up to Canadians with housing needs, and is helping those seeking to break free from the cycle of homelessness and poverty. Through partnerships like this one, we can help vulnerable youth who are homeless or at risk of homelessness find safe and temporary housing while they learn new skills and get the support they need to become more self-sufficient.”
The project is in response to the hundreds of youth who come through the doors of Choices’ Youth Services Centre every year. For many of these youth, living in unstable, unsafe living conditions has been the only life they’ve known. Since the Young Men’s Shelter opened in 2002 the percentage of youth who repeatedly need to make use of the shelter has reached over 60 per cent. These young men continue to cycle through shelters, boarding houses, apartments, and living with friends and relatives. These youth often have fragmented educational experiences and have been unable to find and maintain employment.
Through this project, Choices has created a critical link that has been missing for these youth as this new housing model, based on Eva’s phoenix model (Toronto), is home to Youth at Promise, a basic literacy and math skill program; and an employment preparation program.
The facility is staffed 24/7 and provides affordable housing to 14 youth at a time for up to one year. The layout of the building was designed in such a way to both maximize the sense of community while also maintaining individual home-spaces in a youth-friendly environment. As such, some of the units are two-bedroom style apartments, with a shared bathroom and kitchenette, others are single bedroom units. Youth will then share community space in the larger kitchens and eating areas, as well as lounge and recreation areas.
The Lilly Building is located in the former site of the old A. Lilly & Co. warehouse on Bond Street in downtown St. John’s, which underwent renovations to transform it into the one-of a kind facility that stands today. An innovative aspect of the renovation project was that it permitted 10 youth to work on the site, alongside contractors and trades-people, to learn basic carpentry, painting, plastering, workplace safety, and other related skilled trades through Choices’ Train for Trades program. The young people were supported by a team of Youth Support Workers which gave them the necessary balance of flexibility, direction, support and independence they needed to succeed.
“Choices for Youth is growing and it is evident that our community is recognizing the potential of our youth,” added Mr. Pollett. “Through strong ongoing partnerships with all levels of government, the corporate sector, and other community groups, we are well on our way to experiencing even more growth and improving the lives of even more young people who need it most.”
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Media contacts:
Erin Molloy
Choices for Youth
(709) 754-0446; 727-8841
emolloy@choicesforyouth.ca
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Corporate Communications
Newfoundland Labrador Housing
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Roger Scaplen
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 697-5267
rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca
Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
The Honourable Fabian Manning, Senator for Newfoundland and Labrador, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, today announced over $16 million in support for 30 new affordable housing projects.
These projects are providing a total of 270 new units throughout Newfoundland and Labrador for low-income seniors, individuals, families and persons with disabilities.
Funding for most of these projects has been made available through Canada’s Economic Action Plan and the Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI). The Federal and Provincial Governments are contributing equally to this overall investment of $69 million under the amended 2009 Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Affordable Housing Program Agreement.
The Community Mental Health Initiative (CMHI) in Corner Brook and Marguerite’s Place in St. John’s each received $200,000 from Newfoundland Labrador Housing’s Provincial Homelessness Fund, while Golden Legion Manor in Gander received $150,000 under the same fund. Further, Service Canada provided $245,000 to CMHI and $322,500 to Marguerite’s Place under its Homelessness Partnering Strategy. Six of the 30 projects also received in total $86,000 in Seed Funding through CMHC to assist during the initial project planning stages.
“Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our government is providing a hand-up to those who need it most here in Newfoundland and Labrador and in all corners of the country,” said Senator Manning. “These investments help create new jobs and stimulate the local economy, while providing more access to safe, affordable homes for seniors and people with disabilities.”
“The Williams Government’s total contribution of $8.4 million to these projects strengthens our commitment to partnering with private sector developers and non-profit groups,” said Minister Hedderson. “This has proven to be an excellent way to provide more quality and safe affordable housing for those in need. In addition to benefiting low-income seniors, families and persons with disabilities who will call these new units home, these projects also benefit our local construction, service and retail industries and help build a stronger economy.”
A key AHI program objective for the Provincial Government is to stimulate the development of affordable rental housing in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. Provincial priority is on rental housing for seniors, persons with disabilities and those who require supports to live independently in the community. As part of Budget 2010: The Right Investments – For Our Children and Our Future, the Provincial Government is investing $27 million for housing infrastructure projects, affordable housing and increased maintenance funding over this fiscal year.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $475 million, over two years, to build new rental housing for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for the construction of new and the renovation of existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in low-cost loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.
“This is an incredible day for women in our community,” said Charmaine Davidge, Executive Director, St. John’s Status of Women Council and Women’s Centre, which is the proponent of Marguerite’s Place. “We could not have done it without the generous support of the federal and provincial affordable housing funding and our many partners and supporters in the community.”
This work is also in keeping with the goals of the Provincial Government’s Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador – Secure Foundations. The plan outlines a new long-term vision for social housing aimed at increasing rental options for lower-income households and the supply of accessible housing, all helping to create healthier communities. A copy of the social housing plan is available at SocialHousingPlan-2009Report.pdf.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada’s commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless.
More information on this and other measures in Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Federal Government’s plan to stimulate the economy and protect those hit hardest by the global recession, can be found at: www.actionplan.gc.ca.
To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan.
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Media contacts:
Roger Scaplen
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 697-5267
rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland Labrador Housing
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Katherine LeBlanc
Communications
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
902-426-6581
krleblan@cmhc.ca
BACKGROUNDER
New Affordable Housing Projects
List of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing projects funded through Canada’s Economic Action Plan and the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Affordable Housing Initiative
Avalon and Burin
| Proponent Name | Location | Total Matched Federal/Provincial Funding | Number of Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lauramax Development | Paradise | $350,000 | 10 |
| Woodman Properties | New Harbour | $245,000 | 7 |
| Donovan Homes | Conception Bay South and Mount Pearl | $350,000 | 10 |
| ERCO Developments Ltd.(A) | St. John’s | $210,000 | 6 |
| ERCO Developments Ltd.(B) | St. John’s | $280,000 | 8 |
| Harbourview Homes Ltd. | Harbour Grace | $350,000 | 10 |
| RD Developments Ltd. | Victoria and Carbonear | $315,000 | 9 |
| Bob and Tracey Lewis | Avondale | $140,000 | 4 |
| Scott’s Construction Ltd. | Conception Bay South | $350,000 | 10 |
| Charwood Legion Manor | Carbonear | $1,250,000 | 10 |
| Moosey Meadows Estates Ltd. | Holyrood | $280,000 | 8 |
| Marguerite’s Place | St. John’s | $1,010,000 | 8 |
| Bernard Farrell Rentals | Marystown | $175,000 | 5 |
| Total | $5,305,000 | 105 |
Central
| Proponent Name | Location | Total Matched Federal/Provincial Funding | Number of Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle Landing Retirement Home | Glovertown | $350,000 | 10 |
| Chard’s Construction Ltd. | Bonavista | $350,000 | 10 |
| Golden Legion Manor Ltd. | Gander | $2,025,000 | 15 |
| CJ Enterprises Ltd. | Grand Falls-Windsor | $350,000 | 10 |
| E.J. Burton & Sons Ltd. | La Scie | $350,000 | 10 |
| Triple A Realty Ltd. | Grand Falls-Windsor | $350,000 | 10 |
| Coast of Bays Contracting | St. Alban’s | $140,000 | 4 |
| Harbour Breton Investment | Harbour Breton | $1,250,000 | 10 |
| Robert’s Arm Interfaith Senior Citizens’ Complex | Robert’s Arm | $1,250,000 | 10 |
| 49.52 North Holdings Ltd. | Triton | $350,000 | 10 |
| Vista Place 2005 Ltd. | Springdale | $350,000 | 10 |
| Total | $7,115,000 | 109 |
Western
| Proponent Name | Location | Total Matched Federal/Provincial Funding | Number of Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNB Holdings Ltd. | Stephenville | $280,000 | 8 |
| Humber Valley Senior Citizens’ Club | Pasadena | $1,250,000 | 10 |
| Jade Holdings | Deer Lake | $350,000 | 10 |
| REA Rentals Inc. | Corner Brook | $280,000 | 8 |
| Community Mental Health Initiative | Corner Brook | $1,200,000 | 10 |
| Total | $3,360,000 | 46 |
Labrador
| Proponent Name | Location | Total Matched Federal/Provincial Funding | Number of Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labrador Coatings Ltd. | Happy Valley-Goose Bay | $500,000 | 10 |
| Total | $500,000 | 10 |
* Each project has a minimum of one fully accessible unit for each 10 units constructed.