Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation has selected the winners of the 2011 Scholarship Program, awarding nine scholarships valued at $1,000 each to tenants pursuing a post-secondary education.
“I am pleased to announce the winners for the 2011 Scholarship Program,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. “These scholarships assist students in meeting the financial obligations of achieving a post-secondary education and help them move closer to their ultimate goal of working in their chosen field. I extend my congratulations to each scholarship winner and wish them well in their future studies.”
Each year, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation offers scholarships to high school graduates in their first year of post-secondary education, and to adult tenants who are pursing a post-secondary education.
The corporation’s 2011 scholarship winners are:
Avalon/Eastern Region
Central Region
Western/Labrador Region
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.
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Media contacts:
Jason Card
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 699-0470
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Communications
Newfoundland Labrador Housing
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
A $3.1 million investment in the Provincial Home Repair Program (PHRP) in central Newfoundland enabled 775 homeowners with low incomes to make renovations and repairs over the past year.
“The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in Newfoundland and Labrador and across the country for those most vulnerable,” said the Honourable Peter Penashue, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). “I am pleased that our contributions towards the renovation of these homes will assist singles, families and seniors in Central Newfoundland.”
“The Provincial Home Repair Program supports the efforts of the Provincial Government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. “The program has assisted many homeowners with upgrading their homes to make them more affordable and safer spaces to live and raise their families. This program provides the added bonus of increased economic benefits to every region of the province.”
The types of repairs that can be undertaken with a PHRP loan or grant include upgrades to heating, electrical or plumbing systems, and renovations and retrofits to structures, foundations, windows, doors, roofing or siding. Applications are assessed in the order in which they are received and priority is given to emergency repairs. Applicants must be homeowners with annual incomes of $32,500 or less. The PHRP has provided more than $200 million to assist approximately 50,000 low-income households throughout the province since it began 36 years ago.
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 2011-2014 period.
On August 16, 2011, the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador announced a combined investment of close to $41 million under the new Agreement for Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-2014. Following the signing of this agreement, the Provincial Government through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, extended PHRP for another three years.
The Provincial Government is investing an additional $12 million in PHRP over the next three years, for a total provincial investment of $24 million. This increases the total PHRP budget for program years 2011-2014 to $36 million. This investment directly supports the goals of the Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador – Secure Foundations, released by the Provincial Government in August 2009, outlining a long-term vision for social housing. It is aimed at improving the housing circumstances of low-income households and helping create healthier communities.
The PHRP serves an average 2,500 households annually, mostly in rural communities throughout the province. 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).
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:
Jason Card
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 699-0470
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca
Alyson Queen
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Katherine LeBlanc
Communications
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
902-426-6581
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland Labrador Housing
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
A total of 812 homeowners with low incomes throughout the Avalon and Burin Peninsulas renovated and repaired their homes this past year under a $3.5 million investment in the Provincial Home Repair Program (PHRP). The Honourable Peter Penashue, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, 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 Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, made the announcement today.
“The Government of Canada is proud to have contributed to these investments,” said Minister Penashue. “More than 800 homes have been renovated, providing updated quality housing for families while contributing to the economic and social well-being of Newfoundland and Labrador’s communities.”
“The Provincial Home Repair Program continues to meet its mandate for providing a cost-effective means for homeowners with low incomes to make essential repairs,” said Minister Hedderson. “Seniors in particular have benefitted from the program, as it helps them undertake renovations and repairs which may allow them the option of staying in their own homes.”
The types of repairs that can be undertaken with a PHRP loan or grant include upgrades to heating, electrical or plumbing systems, and renovations and retrofits to structures, foundations, windows, doors, roofing or siding. Applications are assessed in the order in which they are received and priority is given to emergency repairs. Applicants must be homeowners with annual incomes of $32,500 or less. The PHRP has provided more than $200 million to assist approximately 50,000 low-income households throughout the province since it began 36 years ago.
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 2011-2014 period.
On August 16, 2011, the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador signed a new $41 million equally cost-shared Agreement for Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-2014. Following the signing of this agreement, the Provincial Government through NLHC extended PHRP for another three years.
The Provincial Government is investing an additional $12 million in PHRP over the next three years, for a total provincial investment of $24 million. This increases the total PHRP budget for program years 2011-2014 to $36 million. This investment directly supports the goals of the Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador – Secure Foundations, released by the Provincial Government in August 2009, outlining a long-term vision for social housing. It is aimed at improving the housing circumstances of low-income households and helping create healthier communities.
The PHRP serves an average 2,500 households annually, mostly in rural communities throughout the province. 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).
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 Opens in new window.
– 30 –
Media contacts:
Jason Card
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 699-0470
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca
Alyson Queen
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
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
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation is investing $123,000 to renovate social housing units in four central Newfoundland communities.
“This work highlights the Provincial Government’s commitment to providing access to affordable housing to families with low incomes throughout the province,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. “Renovations are part of the ongoing modernization and improvement program to upgrade the provincial rental housing portfolio.”
Nine units in Cottlesville, Summerford and Comfort Cove-Newstead will undergo renovations to replace shingles, eaves, windows and doors, and plumbing and ventilation systems. This contract valued at $86,000 has been awarded to Mutford’s Carpentry.
“These projects demonstrate Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation’s commitment to maintaining and improving its social housing portfolio,” said the Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation and MHA for The Isles of Notre Dame. “This ensures that families with low incomes throughout the province have the option of affordable housing.”
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation staff are currently completing renovations valued at $37,000 on three units in Norris Arm. These renovations include replacing windows and waterlines, repairing foundations and driveways, and some roof repairs.
“I am delighted to see Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation getting into communities in this area to upgrade its social housing properties,” said Wade Verge, MHA for Lewisporte. “The progress being made is visible in every corner of the province where social housing exists.”
Work is expected to be complete by the end of this month.
A Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador – Secure Foundations, released by the Provincial Government 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 create healthier communities. Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador allocated $25.9 million for social housing infrastructure, including $10.4 million for maintenance and $12 million for renovations and improvements.
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation is the province’s largest landlord with approximately 5,573 non-profit social housing dwellings province-wide.
– 30 –
Media contacts:
Jason Card
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
729-3015, 699-0470
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca
Donna Ivey
Communications Manager
Government Members Office
709-729-0898, 697-1424
donnaivey@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Communications
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Darrell Hynes
Executive Assistant to the
Honourable Derrick Dalley
MHA for The Isles of Notre Dame.
709-729-0660
darrellhynes@gov.nl.ca