Social Housing in Labrador to Receive $240,000 in Renovations and Retrofits

The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador announced today $240,000 in renovation and retrofit funding for eight social housing units in Labrador. The investment, which is part of the federal/provincial investment in affordable housing in Newfoundland and Labrador announced in May 2009, will significantly extend the life of these homes.

The funding was made available through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Federal Government’s plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs across Canada during the global recession. 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. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment of $58 million under the amended Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Affordable Housing Program Agreement.

The Government of Canada wants to improve the quality of existing social housing for low-income seniors, single parent families, recent immigrants and Aboriginal households. Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $850 million under the Affordable Housing Initiative to provinces and territories for the renovation and retrofit of existing social housing.

Repairs totalling $112,000 for four units on White Crescent in Happy Valley-Goose Bay; and $128,000 for four units in Port Hope Simpson include the replacement of roofing, siding, windows, doors, eaves troughs and fencing. The work is expected to be completed early in the new year.

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 the coming fiscal year. This renovation and retrofit work is in keeping with the goals of the Provincial Government’s Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador – Secure Foundations, which outlines a new long-term vision for social housing aimed at improving the housing circumstances of lower-income households and helping to create healthier communities. A copy of the social housing plan is available at www.nlhc.nl.ca/SocialHsingPlan/report.pdf.

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister Responsible 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, made the announcement today.

“Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our government is taking action to help ensure our economic recovery and create the conditions for long-term growth,” said Minister MacKay. “Funding renovation and retrofit projects like these ones is a great way to get the local economy moving, because it puts construction workers and tradespeople to work quickly. At the same time, we’re improving the quality of life for residents of Labrador, keeping their homes safe and affordable.”

“This work in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and in Port Hope Simpson will ensure that these homes will be available to those with low incomes in Labrador for years to come,” said Minister Hedderson. “Our Provincial Government is committed, as outlined in our long-term plan for social housing, to ensuring that we have available an adequate and stable supply of housing options for low-income households. Since April 2009, 133 social or community-based housing properties have been renovated in Labrador, under this program.”

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

Katherine LeBlanc
Communications
Canada Mortgage and Housing
Corporation
902-426-6581
krleblan@cmhc.ca

Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary, Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482

 

Social and Community-Based Housing in Burin Region Undergoing Renovations and Retrofits

The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador announced today $150,000 in renovation and retrofit funding for 26 units in the province’s Burin region. The investment, which is part of the federal/provincial investment in affordable housing in Newfoundland and Labrador announced in May 2009, is significantly extending the life of these homes.

The funding was made available through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Federal Government’s plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs across Canada during the global recession. The economic action plan, announced in 2009, 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. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment of $58 million under the amended Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Affordable Housing Program Agreement.

The Government of Canada wants to improve the quality of existing social housing for low-income seniors, single parent families, recent immigrants and Aboriginal households. Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $850 million under the Affordable Housing Initiative to provinces and territories for the renovation and retrofit of existing social housing.

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 the coming fiscal year. This renovation and retrofit work is in keeping with the goals of the Provincial Government’s Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador – Secure Foundations, which outlines a new long-term vision for social housing aimed at improving the housing circumstances of lower-income households and helping to create healthier communities. A copy of the social housing plan is available at SocialHousingPlan-2009Report.pdf.

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister Responsible 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 Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, made the announcement today.

“Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our Government is taking concrete action to help ensure economic recovery and create the conditions for long-term growth,” said Minister MacKay. “Funding the renovation of projects like these will not only improve the overall housing conditions on the Burin Peninsula but also help stimulate the local economy and create jobs.”

“Affordable housing investments by our Provincial Government and Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation over the past two years have been unprecedented,” said Minister Hedderson. “Since April 2009 we have been able to renovate more than 100 social or community-based housing properties on the Burin Peninsula.”

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.

– 30 –

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

Katherine LeBlanc
Communications,
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
902-426-6581
krleblan@cmhc.ca

Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary, Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482

 

Backgrounder

Renovation and Retrofit Projects – Burin Region

CBH denotes Community-Based Housing projects

NLHC denotes NL Housing Public Rental Units

Project Name Community Total Funds Units
CBH – Garnish Local Care Association Garnish $55,000 8
CBH -Marystown Kinsmen Manor Marystown $40,000 12
CBH – Silver Bay Seniors Bay L’Argent $55,000 6
Total $150,000 26

 

Social and Community-Based Housing Units in Western Region Undergoing Renovations and Retrofits

The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador announced today nearly $674,000 in renovation and retrofit funding for 163 units in the province’s Western region. The investment, which is part of the federal/provincial investment in affordable housing in Newfoundland and Labrador announced in May 2009, is significantly extending the life of these homes.

The funding was made available through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Federal Government’s plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs across Canada during the global recession. The Economic Action Plan, announced in 2009, 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. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment of $58 million under the amended Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Affordable Housing Program Agreement.

The Government of Canada wants to improve the quality of existing social housing for low-income seniors, single-parent families, recent immigrants and Aboriginal households. Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $850 million under the Affordable Housing Initiative to provinces and territories for the renovation and retrofit of existing social housing.

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 the coming fiscal year. This renovation and retrofit work is also in keeping with the goals of the Provincial Government’s Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador, Secure Foundations, which outlines a new long-term vision for social housing aimed at improving the housing circumstances of lower-income households and helping to create healthier communities. A copy of the social housing plan is available at SocialHousingPlan-2009Report.pdf.

The Honourable Peter Mackay, Minister of National Defence, 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, made the announcement today. “Through Year 2 of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our government remains committed to giving a hand-up to those who need it most here in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Minister MacKay. “That’s why we are proud to have invested in the renovation and retrofit of these 163 units across the western region of Newfoundland, which will go a long way to providing safe, affordable homes for years to come.”

“One of the objectives of Secure Foundations is to improve and modernize our existing supply of affordable housing and this work brings us closer to that goal,” said Minister Hedderson. “Project by project we are making significant gains in renovating and modernizing our affordable social housing portfolio throughout the province. Over the past year and a half 407 social or community-based housing properties have been renovated in the Western region.”

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.

-30-

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

Katherine LeBlanc
Communications,
Canada Mortgage and Housing
Corportaion
902-426-6581
krleblan@cmhc.ca

Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary, Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482

 

BACKGROUNDER
Renovation and Retrofit Projects – Western Region

CBH denotes Community-Based Housing projects
NLHC denotes NL Housing Public Rental Units

Project Name Community Total Funds Units
NLHC – Reid’s Road Corner Brook $56,000 2
NLHC – Wheeler’s Road Corner Brook $56,000 2
CBH – West Coast Interfaith Home Corner Brook $99,500 12
CBH – Corner Brook Corner Brook $50,000 19
CBH – Cow Head Housing Committee Cow Head $40,000 12
CBH – Straits-St. Barbe Chronic Care Flower’s Cove $55,000 12
CBH – Benoit’s Cove Aboriginal Housing Humber Arm South $30,000 8
NLHC – Harbourview Drive Norris Point $28,000 1
CBH – Viking Senior Citizens Norris Point $30,000 12
CBH – Humber Valley Seniors Pasadena $27,000 8
CBH – Bay St. George South Seniors Cartyville $32,000 12
CBH – Gateway Cottages Association Channel-Port aux Basques $87,000 20
NLHC – Main, Legion, Black Duck Brook Port au Port-Stephenville Crossing $25,258 3
CBH – Western Health-Congregate Cottages Stephenville Crossing $38,000 28
CBH – Grenfell – McConnell Complex St. Anthony $20,000 12
Total $673,758 163

 

Students Awarded Scholarships Sponsored by Newfoundland Labrador Housing

Newfoundland Labrador Housing (Housing) has selected the winners of its 2010 Scholarship Program. The winners were announced today by the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.

“It’s a pleasure to announce the winners of Housing’s 2010 scholarship program,” said Minister Hedderson. “These individuals see the value of getting a good education and work very hard to do well. As a government, it is important that we support and reward those who are striving to better their lives – they are our future and we need to invest in them. I offer my sincere congratulations on their achievement and wish them all the best in their studies and future endeavours.”

Each year, Housing awards scholarships to high school graduates and adults pursuing a post-secondary education. The scholarships are awarded in the Avalon/East, Central and Western/Labrador regions to tenants’ children and adult tenants returning to school. Each scholarship is valued at $1,000.

Housing’s 2010 scholarship winners are:

Avalon/Eastern Region

  • Lesley Snow, adult scholarship winner, attending Memorial University, St. John’s.
  • Lindsay Collins, youth scholarship winner, attending Memorial University, St. John’s.
  • Thomas Denine, youth scholarship winner, attending Memorial University, St. John’s.
  • Shaleen Strickland, youth scholarship winner, attending Memorial University, St. John’s.

Central Region

  • Peter Walsh, adult scholarship winner, attending College of the North Atlantic, Stephenville.
  • Harrison Collis, youth scholarship winner, attending Memorial University, St. John’s.
  • Scott Curlew, youth scholarship winner, attending College of the North Atlantic, Grand Falls-Windsor.
  • Sheldon Frost, youth scholarship winner, attending Memorial University, St. John’s.

Western/Labrador Region

  • Patricia Simms, adult scholarship winner, attending College of the North Atlantic, Corner Brook.

Winners of the adult scholarships are selected based on an interview that assesses initiative, need and community experience.

Youth scholarships are awarded based on the results of the Department of Education’s scholarship score, which is derived from a student’s performance on public examinations.

– 30 –

Media contacts

Roger Scaplen
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015
rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca

Jenny Bowring
Manager, Communications
Newfoundland Labrador Housing
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca