The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, will attend Starry Night 2012, a gala fundraiser to be held by Stella Burry Community Services today (Thursday, March 22) at 7:00 p.m. Minister Hedderson will announce a funding contribution to the Stella Burry Foundation in support of affordable housing.
The event will be held at the Johnson Geo Centre, located 175 Signal Hill Road in St. John’s.
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Media contact:
Jason Card
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 699-0470
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca
The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador today announced a combined investment of more than $5.8 million to create new affordable and supportive housing in collaboration with non-profit groups. This investment will help fund the development of 39 new units for persons requiring supportive living accommodations, and another eight new homes for families with low incomes through Habitat for Humanity Newfoundland and Labrador.
“Our government is proud to be investing in these new developments,” said the Honourable Peter Penashue, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Regional Minister 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). “Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador in need of affordable and supportive housing will soon have a place they can call home, and this is vital to creating a healthy community.”
More than $16 million in funding has been made available for new affordable housing projects as part of the $41 million Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Agreement for Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-14, announced last August.
“The Provincial Government is proud to support these non-profit organizations, and coupled with an $8.5 million investment in private sector projects announced yesterday, these partnerships will help create affordable housing in our communities,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. “Responding to affordable supportive housing needs is a priority, and we look forward to building on the momentum we have developed in recent years.”
These new homes are being developed by eight non-profit supportive living community partners and will house people with low to moderate incomes, including families, single individuals, youth who require supports, and seniors who require assisted-living.
An affordable housing proposal call made in 2011 has provided 36 private and non-profit community partners the opportunity to create 254 new affordable housing units throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, including 71 fully-accessible dwellings. By 2014, approximately 1,100 new affordable housing units will have been developed under this combined federal and provincial investment.
Nationally, Newfoundland and Labrador is leading the way with respect to accessibility by being the first province to require the use of Universal Design standards for all projects approved under the recent affordable housing proposal call. Features of Universal Design include but are not limited to step-free entrances, open floor plans, wider doorways and halls, slip-resistant floors, lever door handles, grab bars in bathrooms, and rocker light switches versus toggle. Universal Design is now a mandatory requirement on all affordable housing projects funded in the province. This is in addition to having one unit in each project that will be fully accessible. The goal is to make access more convenient to as many people, at as many stages of life as possible.
A key objective for the Provincial Government is to stimulate the development of affordable rental housing by the private, public and non-profit sectors. A priority is placed on developing rental housing for persons with disabilities, seniors, and those who require supports to live independently in the community. This work is also in keeping with A Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador – Secure Foundations, released by the Provincial Government in August 2009, which outlines a long-term vision for social housing. It is aimed at improving the housing circumstances of people with low incomes and helping create healthier communities.
The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest more than $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of almost 615,000 households living in existing social housing. In Newfoundland and Labrador, this represents some 12,500 households. These investments are improving the quality of life for Canadians with low incomes and households living in existing social housing, including individuals who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants, and Aboriginal people.
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
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Media contacts:
Jason Card
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
729-3015, 699-0470
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Katherine LeBlanc
Consultant, Marketing & Communications
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
902-426-6581
krleblan@cmhc.ca
Alyson Queen
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
BACKGROUNDER
Affordable Non-Profit Supportive Housing Projects
Funded through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Agreement for
Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-14
| Proponent | Location | Total Matched Federal/Provincial Funding | Number of Units |
| Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, St. Theresa’s Parish | St. John’s | $500,000 | 4 |
| Iris Kirby House Inc. | St. John’s | $500,000 | 4 |
| Choices for Youth | St. John’s | $750,000 | 6 |
| Anglican Homes Inc. | St. John’s | $625,000 | 5 |
| Grace Sparkes Inc. | Marystown | $750,000 | 6 |
| Labrador West Housing and Homelessness Coalition | Labrador City | $1,500,000 | 10 |
| Robert’s Arm Interfaith | Robert’s Arm | $500,000 | 4 |
| Habitat for Humanity NL | Labrador West | $360,000 | 4 |
| Habitat for Humanity NL | St. John’s | $340,000 | 4 |
| Total | $5,825,000 | 47 | |
The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador today announced a combined investment of nearly $8.5 million to create new affordable housing throughout the province in collaboration with the private sector. This investment supports the development of 207 new affordable homes for seniors, families and single people with low incomes and persons with disabilities.
“Through investments in affordable housing, our government is providing assistance to those who need it most here in Newfoundland and Labrador and in all corners of the country,” said the Honourable Peter Penashue, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Regional Minister of 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). “We are committed to making communities stronger through projects like these. These investments help create new jobs and stimulate the local economy, while providing more access to safe, affordable homes for Canadian seniors, families and individuals.”
More than $16 million in funding has been made available for new affordable housing projects as part of the $41 million Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Agreement for Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-14, announced last August.
“Working with our private sector community partners has proven to be an excellent way to develop more affordable housing options for people with low incomes,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. “These projects are great examples of how the private sector can help establish high-quality and affordable housing throughout the province.”
An affordable housing proposal call made in 2011 has provided 36 private and non-profit community partners the opportunity to create 254 new affordable housing units throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, including 71 fully accessible dwellings. By 2014, approximately 1,100 new affordable housing units will have been developed under this combined federal and provincial investment.
Nationally, Newfoundland and Labrador is leading the way with respect to accessibility by being the first province to require the use of Universal Design standards for all projects approved under the recent affordable housing proposal call. Features of Universal Design include but are not limited to step-free entrances, open floor plans, wider doorways and halls, slip-resistant floors, lever door handles, grab bars in bathrooms, and rocker light switches versus toggle. Universal Design is now a mandatory requirement on all affordable housing projects funded in the province. This is in addition to having one unit in each project that will be fully accessible. The goal is to make access more convenient to as many people, at as many stages of life as possible.
A key objective for the Provincial Government is to stimulate the development of affordable rental housing by the private, public and non-profit sectors. A priority is placed on developing rental housing for persons with disabilities, seniors, and those who require supports to live independently in the community. This work is in keeping with A Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador – Secure Foundations, released by the Provincial Government in August 2009, which outlines a long-term vision for social housing. It is aimed at improving the housing circumstances of people with low incomes and helping create healthier communities.
The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest more than $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of almost 615,000 households living in existing social housing. In Newfoundland and Labrador, this represents some 12,500 households. These investments are improving the quality of life for Canadians with low incomes and households living in existing social housing, including individuals who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants, and Aboriginal people.
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
– 30 –
Media contacts:
Jason Card
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
729-3015, 699-0470
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Katherine LeBlanc
Consultant, Marketing & Communications
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
902-426-6581
krleblan@cmhc.ca
Alyson Queen
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
BACKGROUNDER
Private Sector New Affordable Housing Projects
Funded through the
Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Agreement for
Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-14
| Proponent | Location | Total Matched Federal/Provincial Funding | Number of Units |
| IDAM Holdings Ltd. | Bay Roberts | $200,000 | 5 |
| Caboway Development Ltd. | Bonavista | $360,000 | 9 |
| Chard’s Construction Ltd. | Bonavista | $240,000 | 6 |
| WW Builders Developers Ltd. | Burin | $240,000 | 6 |
| Grand Fairways Resort Inc. | Burin | $320,000 | 8 |
| Southside Estates | Carbonear | $320,000 | 8 |
| Ideal Living Properties Ltd. | Conception Bay South | $200,000 | 5 |
| B & S Trucking Ltd. | Deer Lake | $80,000 | 2 |
| Brian Rose | Fortune | $200,000 | 5 |
| Eagle Landing Retirement Villages Ltd. | Glovertown | $400,000 | 10 |
| A & A Realty Company Ltd. | Grand Falls-Windsor | $400,000 | 10 |
| RETS Holdings Inc. | Happy Valley-Goose Bay | $220,000 | 4 |
| Labrador Coatings Ltd. | Happy Valley-Goose Bay | $550,000 | 10 |
| Harbourview Homes Ltd. | Harbour Grace | $240,000 | 6 |
| Country View Estates | Holyrood | $400,000 | 10 |
| 10503 Nfld. Ltd. | Kippens | $400,000 | 10 |
| Bernard Farrell Rentals | Marystown | $200,000 | 5 |
| Karwood Contracting Ltd. | Mount Pearl | $400,000 | 10 |
| Cherry Lane Construction Inc. | Paradise | $160,000 | 4 |
| Betty Walters Inc. | Port au Port West | $400,000 | 10 |
| R.J.S. Enterprises Ltd. | Port Saunders | $160,000 | 4 |
| Welcome Homes | Portugal Cove | $160,000 | 4 |
| Vista Place (2005) Ltd. | Springdale | $240,000 | 6 |
| Tony and Kelly Rumbolt | St. Anthony | $400,000 | 10 |
| Rodrigues Estate Development | St. John’s | $400,000 | 10 |
| Croft Enterprises Ltd. | St. John’s (Goulds) | $400,000 | 10 |
| Acerage Investments Corp. | Torbay | $400,000 | 10 |
| Ernest Guy & Sons Ltd. | Twillingate | $400,000 | 10 |
| Total | $8,490,000 | 207 | |
The Provincial Government’s Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador – Secure Foundations, which was released by the Provincial Government in August 2009 and outlines a long-term vision for social housing, was endorsed in the House of Assembly today. The endorsement came via a private members resolution that expresses support for the plan and recognizes the housing achievements made possible through ongoing collaboration between the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) and advocates, experts, and stakeholders involved with housing issues.
“Great progress is being made through ongoing partnership and consultation with private industry leaders and with great community-based organizations like Stella Burry Community Services, Choices for Youth, the Salvation Army, and the St. John’s Status of Women Council,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. “We are building new units, renovating our housing inventory, increasing rent supplements, expanding programs to help people in vulnerable circumstances stay in their homes, and supporting seniors and persons with disabilities with making home modifications. Our response to the diverse needs of people in this province is comprehensive and evolving, and I look forward to achieving even more by working with community stakeholders in the future.”
Key investments by the Provincial Government to provide housing assistance to those with the greatest needs include:
“It was disappointing that both opposition parties chose to vote against our social housing plan when the motion was put forward, even after acknowledging the good work of this government in their comments today in the House of Assembly,” said Minister Hedderson. “Despite this lack of support for important programming and policies for people in vulnerable circumstances, we will continue with our successful approach of engaging stakeholders and supporting projects by organizations in our efforts to create enduring positive change in our province.”
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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
Communications Manager
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca