Fifty-four social housing units in central Newfoundland will receive upgrades as the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation continues to enhance the social housing portfolio throughout the province. A contract valued at approximately $362,000 has been awarded to J & J Enterprises Ltd. to complete the work.

“I am delighted to see this significant investment in these housing properties in central Newfoundland,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. “Dozens of families in communities across the region will benefit from this work, improving the quality of their homes and thereby improving their quality of life.”

The contracts include:

• $178,000 to re-shingle duplexes on Heath Crescent in Gander and provide electrical conversions in various units;
• $53,000 for exterior upgrades to single-dwelling units in Carter’s Cove and Phillips Head, including new windows, doors, siding, shingles, landings and new waterlines;
• $23,000 to shingle and install eaves and new windows in Bonavista; and,
• $108,000 to excavate and repair foundations on eight buildings in Grand Falls-Windsor on Keats Avenue, Brown Heights and Thirteenth Avenue.

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 to 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.

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