In Mount Pearl today, the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, announced $1.74 million under the Provincial Homelessness Fund (PHF) for 15 non-profit organizations working to curb homelessness in their communities. The recipients are among 18 non-profit community partners throughout the province benefiting from nearly $2 million in PHF grants over the past two years. The Provincial Government previously announced $247,000 for three projects in Corner Brook in February.
“Through the Provincial Homelessness Fund, the Provincial Government continues to deliver on its commitment to prevent and alleviate homelessness in our communities,” said Minister King. “This funding is in keeping with the vision of A Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador, Secure Foundations, and will give these organizations the ability to continue and expand their programs and services to help people build a stronger future.”
“I am pleased to see this investment supporting such worthwhile causes throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, including the Parish of the Good Shepherd’s free lunch program which started last year and now draws over 100 people each Wednesday,” said the Honourable Dave Denine, Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs and the Volunteer and Non-Profit Sector and MHA for Mount Pearl South. “This grant will assist with upgrading their kitchen space as they work towards expanding their lunch program – a great investment by our government.”
Today’s announcement was held at the Anglican Parish of the Good Shepherd, whose free community lunch program received a $33,450 grant to assist with kitchen space upgrades. Details of other projects are included in the backgrounder below.
“This support will enable us to grow our lunch program – what we call our ‘ministry of hospitality’ – to better serve our community,” said Archdeacon Geoff Peddle, Rector of the Anglican Parish of the Good Shepherd. “Our lunches are open to everyone regardless of religious affiliation and many stay for hours and find both fellowship and encouragement. On behalf of them I say thank you to the Provincial Government and Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation for making this possible.”
Under the PHF, registered non-profit groups can receive up to a maximum of $200,000 per recipient in a given fiscal year. The funding helps cover capital costs associated with developing space to provide on-site or outreach services that promote housing stability for those at risk of homelessness. In addition, non-profit groups may qualify for up to $10,000 towards the purchase of kitchen appliances. This funding would typically be used by groups who operate soup kitchens, food banks or similar programs. Non-profit groups who do not own the property they are proposing to renovate may also be eligible for a maximum of $25,000 for renovations.
A Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador, Secure Foundations outlines a long-term vision for social housing aimed at improving the housing circumstances of low-income households and helping to create healthier communities. In Budget 2010: The Right Investments – For Our Children and Our Future, the Provincial Government has invested $27 million for housing infrastructure projects, affordable housing and increased maintenance funding.
– 30 –
Media contacts:
Bradley Power
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-0753, 699-5707
bradleypower@gov.nl.ca
Lori O’Keefe
Executive Assistant to
Honourable Dave Denine
MHA for Mount Pearl South
709-729-1405
LoriO%E2%80%99Keefe@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Communications
Newfoundland Labrador Housing
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Archdeacon Geoff Peddle
Rector, Anglican Parish of the Good
Shepherd
709-747-1022
cotgs@nf.aibn.com
BACKGROUNDER
Provincial Homelessness Fund Projects
| Project | Funding |
| Choices for Youth, St. John’s (2010-11 funding ) | $200,000 |
| Newfoundland Labrador Housing and Homeless Network, St. John’s (2010-11 funding ) | $200,000 |
| Stella Burry Community Services (Carew Lodge), St. John’s (2010-11 funding ) | $175,000 |
| Stella Burry Community Services (Barnes Road), St. John’s (2010-11 funding ) | $25,000 |
| Mokami Status of Women, Happy Valley-Goose Bay (2010-11 funding ) | $130,000 |
| Labrador Friendship Centre, Happy Valley-Goose Bay (2010-11 funding ) | $35,210 |
| Parish of the Good Shepherd, Mount Pearl (2010-11 funding ) | $33,450 |
| Peter’s Foundation (Jessie’s Place), St. John’s (2010-11 funding ) | $129,340 |
| Bridges to Hope, St. John’s (2010-11 funding ) | $5,000 |
| The Helping Hand Good Will, Bay Roberts (2010-11 funding ) | $20,000 |
| Mokami Status of Women, Happy Valley-Goose Bay (2009-10 funding) | $200,000 |
| Marguerite’s Place, St. John’s (2009-10 funding) | $200,000 |
| Choices for Youth, Duckworth Street, St. John’s (2009-10 funding) | $200,000 |
| Golden Legion Manor, Gander (2009-10 funding) | $150,000 |
| Bay St. George Residential Support Board, Stephenville (2009-10 funding) | $45,750 |
The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation:
I rise today to inform Honourable Members of the many accomplishments within the Provincial Social Housing Plan and Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. Our goal has always been to address various components of providing affordable housing for those with the greatest need.
For at least 25 years, not a lot of attention was paid to affordable housing issues. This government changed that by becoming only the third jurisdiction in Canada to produce a provincial social housing plan with input from our many partners and stakeholders. Since its release in August 2009, we have stuck to this plan, which outlines access to adequate, affordable housing as an essential element to preventing, reducing, and alleviating poverty and provides goals and objectives to pursue.
The Provincial Government has now tripled the budget for improvements and renovations to sustain Newfoundland and Labrador Housing’s 5,500-unit portfolio, a budget that was for limited for many years.
For 25 years the heat subsidy funding was $6.9 million; today it is $9.4 million.
The Rent Supplement Program remained at a level of $4 million for 25 years. In 2009, the Provincial Government increased NLHC’s Rent Supplement Program by 50 per cent to $6 million. I am pleased to say that 78 rent supplements, for the first time, were provided to assist the Canadian Mental Health Association and Stella Burry Community Services to accommodate persons with complex needs.
The Provincial Home Repair Program was $4 million per year for 25 years; this government actually doubled its contribution to that program from $4 million to $8 million.
In addition, in 2009 our government introduced the first-ever Residential Energy Efficiency Program. That two-year pilot program saw enormous and positive results – a 35 per cent decrease in low income household’s energy costs amounting to nearly $800 per year savings.
We introduced a $1 million annual Homelessness Fund in 2009 that is enabling non-profit organizations throughout the province to do their part in curbing homelessness and poverty in their communities.
For the past six years our Provincial Government has been signatory to three phases of a provincial-federal affordable housing program that will see the construction of nearly 900 new affordable housing units for seniors, persons with disabilities, families, and persons with complex needs.
In closing, I would like to say that all of these initiatives, which were put forth by our community partners and administered by the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, have received positive results. I look forward to what we will accomplish in 2011.