The Provincial Government is contributing $360,000 toward the building of four, new Cabot Habitat for Humanity homes in Labrador West. These are the first homes to be constructed by the non-profit charitable organization outside St. John’s and Mount Pearl. The funding is provided through the Affordable Housing Program delivered by Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.
“We are delighted to partner in this new build, which is breaking new ground for Cabot Habitat for Humanity and, once again, is having a positive impact on the lives of some of our tenants,” said the Honourable Darin King, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. “Of the 41 families who received homes through Cabot Habitat since 1994, 19 were our own housing tenants or applicants, including one tenant this year. Owning a home is a dream for many people and through our partnership with Cabot Habitat we are making that dream come true for four families.”
By 2012, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation will have contributed almost $900,000 in funding to Cabot Habitat for Humanity homes for people with low-to-moderate incomes.
“I am delighted to see this Cabot Habitat for Humanity build in Labrador West,” said Jim Baker, MHA for Labrador West. “Cabot Habitat for Humanity helps make the dream of owning an affordable home for many people with the greatest need, come true.”
In addition, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation has contributed land, as well as labour for 16 Cabot Habitat builds. Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation staff have also constructed one of these homes in its entirety.
“Cabot Habitat for Humanity is very pleased to once again have the support of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation and the Provincial Government as we embark on our first build outside of St. John’s and Mount Pearl,” said Raelene Lee, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Cabot Habitat for Humanity. “We thank Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation for its commitment to our organization and look forward to our continued partnership as we provide affordable housing throughout the province.”
A Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador – Secure Foundations, released in August 2009, outlines a long-term vision for social housing. It is aimed at improving the housing circumstances of low-income households and helping to create healthier communities. Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation is the province’s largest landlord with approximately 5,573 non-profit social housing dwellings province-wide.
Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador also allocated $25.9 million for social housing infrastructure in 2011, including $10.4 million for maintenance and $12 million for renovations and improvements.
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Media contacts:
Bradley Power
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-0753, 699-5707
bradleypower@gov.nl.ca
Donna Ivey
Communications Manager
Government Members Office
709-729-0898
donnaivey@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Communications
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
John Scoville
Executive Director
Cabot Habitat for Humanity
709-737-5311
habitat@cabothabitat.ca
Additional Provincial Government funding for the Provincial Home Repair Program over the past five years has reduced the program’s wait list from approximately 4,700 applicants in 2007 to 2,000 applicants in 2011. An additional investment of $12 million over three years through Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador will enable Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation to continue supporting individuals’ needs throughout the province to an even greater extent.
“It is evident that the increased provincial funding in recent years is helping reduce the wait list and enabling the Provincial Home Repair Program to serve more clients more quickly,” said the Honourable Darin King, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. “The continued success of the program has been pivotal in helping low-income seniors, who make up the majority of recipients, stay in their own homes when they can do so.”
The addition $12 million commitment in Budget 2011 brings the Provincial Government’s total investment over the next three years to $24 million. Added to the extended federal contribution of $12 million from the $41 million Investment Affordable Housing 2011-14 Framework Agreement announced recently (Tuesday, August 16), the Provincial Home Repair Program’s overall budget is now $36 million.
“This funding will go a long way in addressing the current wait list for the Provincial Home Repair Program,” said Minister King. “It will support residents from all corners of Newfoundland and Labrador, and will advance our government’s commitment to providing support for residents with income of $32,500 or less.”
A Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador – Secure Foundations, released in August 2009, outlines a long-term vision for social housing, which is supported by the investment highlighted today. The plan is aimed specifically at improving the housing circumstances of low-income households and helping to create healthier communities.
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Media contacts:
Bradley Power
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-0753, 699-5707
bradleypower@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Communications
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Outline Overview of Provincial Home Repair Program
The Provincial Home Repair Program has served approximately 2,500 low-income households annually over the past two years. On average, applicants are approximately 61 years of age with annual household incomes of $16,000 to $17,000, and reside in homes that are approximately 40 years old.
A maximum grant of $5,000 is available to homeowners on the island, while in Labrador a maximum grant of $6,500 is available. Homeowners whose repairs exceed these levels may apply for a low-interest repayable loan of up to $10,000 ($13,000 in Labrador).
The types of repairs that can be untaken with a Provincial Home Repair Program loan or grant include upgrades to heating, electrical or plumbing systems, and renovations and retrofits to deteriorated structures, foundations, windows, doors, roofing or siding.
Applicants are addressed on a first-come, first-served basis. However, priority is given to emergency repairs.
Applicants must be homeowners with annual incomes of $32,500 or less.
More information on this program can be found by visiting: www.nlhc.nl.ca/phrp/phrp.html.
The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador today announced a combined investment of close to $41 million under a new affordable housing agreement, which will continue to reduce the number of households in housing need.
The agreement comes as a result of the recently announced Investment Affordable Housing 2011-2014 Framework Agreement between the federal, provincial and territorial governments. The framework recognizes the diversity of affordable housing needs of Canadians and that a range of solutions – from existing programs to new approaches – is the most effective in meeting local needs and priorities. It also recognizes that provinces and territories have responsibility under this framework for the design and delivery of affordable housing programs in order to address their own specific housing needs and priorities in their jurisdictions.
The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with the Honourable Darin King, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, made the announcement today.
“Our government is committed to working with the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador to develop and implement solutions to housing,” said Minister Finley. “This agreement recognizes the need for local solutions to housing challenges and the importance of reporting on progress on achievement of outcomes.”
“Under this new agreement, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, will be able to continue to provide a variety of housing programs designed specifically to meet the needs of lower income households,” said Minister King. “The agreement provides for programs such as home repair assistance and capital grants to encourage the construction of affordable rental housing for families and individuals as well as supportive living arrangements for persons with complex needs.”
Newfoundland and Labrador will fully cost-match the federal funding and deliver provincially-designed housing programs. The agreement provides Newfoundland and Labrador with the flexibility to make investments to achieve the overall objective of the framework: to reduce the number of Canadians in housing need by improving access to affordable housing that is sound, suitable and sustainable. Initiatives can include new construction, renovation, homeownership assistance, rent supplements, shelter allowances and accommodations for victims of family violence.
Both governments will report annually to the public regarding the investments and progress toward achieving the intended outcomes of the initiative.
The Federal and Provincial Governments also announced that a combined investment of more than $23.9 million, committed under Canada’s Economic Action Plan and the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Affordable Housing Initiative, has resulted in the creation of 1,456 renovated and new affordable housing units for low-income families, seniors and persons with disabilities in the Avalon, Burin, Central, Western and Labrador regions.
In September 2008, the Government of Canada committed to a five-year investment of more than $1.9 billion in housing and homelessness to address the needs of low-income Canadians, those at risk of homelessness, and the homeless. This included a two-year renewal of the Affordable Housing Initiative and renovation programs until March 31, 2011 with a commitment to consult on the use of the investments for the 2011-14 period.
In the fall of 2009, federal, provincial and territorial governments, as well as municipalities, public and private stakeholders, engaged on how best to use federal funding from 2011 to 2014. Federal, provincial and territorial housing ministers also met in December 2009 to discuss the future of these investments.
The federal investments announced today are part of the Government of Canada’s $1.9 billion commitment for housing and homelessness programs announced in 2008. Canada’s Economic Action Plan built on this with an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years in new and existing social housing, plus $2 billion in low-cost loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.
A key objective for the Provincial Government is to stimulate the development of affordable rental housing in the private, public and non-profit sectors. Provincial priority is on rental housing for persons with disabilities, seniors and those who require supports to live independently in the community. As part of Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador, the Provincial Government is investing $25.9 million for social housing infrastructure and increased maintenance funding over this fiscal year.
This work is also in keeping with the goals of the Provincial Government’s Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador – Secure Foundations, released in 2009. 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 www.nlhc.ca/SocialHsingPlan/report.pdf
To find out more about how the Government of Canada, through CMHC, is working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca. For more information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, call 1-800-O Canada or visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
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Media contacts:
Bradley Power
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-0753, 699-5707
bradleypower@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Charles Sauriol
CMHC Media Relations
613-748-2799
Alyson Queen
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482