Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, the Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, Yvonne Jones, Member of Parliament for Labrador and the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation, announced more than $4.8 million to support the construction of a new seven-unit, second-stage housing project in Labrador City.
The Government of Canada is contributing $3.4 million to the Hope Haven Transition House through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund’s Women and Children Shelter and Transitional Housing Initiative. The Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) will also provide Hope Haven Transition House with $1.4 million through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Bilateral Agreement under the National Housing Strategy.
NLHC provides $9 million annually to the province’s 10 transition houses, of which Hope Haven receives approximately $700,000. This funding enables the transition houses to provide safe short-term accommodations, services and resources for women and children at risk of, or experiencing, violence.
In addition, Hope Haven Transition House will be contributing $50,000 towards the project, which will be constructed on property donated by the Town of Labrador City. The development will also receive a $200,000 contribution from the Iron Ore Company of Canada-Rio Tinto, as well as $5,000 from Tacora Resources. Construction is anticipated to commence in spring 2023, with a tentative completion date of July 2024.
This partnership between federal, provincial and community funding streams is a promising initiative that will cater to the housing needs of women and children who experience domestic or intimate partner violence in the Labrador West region. The project is a significant step towards addressing the housing challenges faced by vulnerable groups.
Quotes
“Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. That is why our government is committed to ensuring the safety and stability of Canadians, including right here in Labrador City. The Hope Haven Transition House will be a place of sanctuary for women and their children escaping family violence and this investment is meant to foster healing, rebuild lives and greater independence. This is the National Housing Strategy at work.”
Honourable Ahmed Hussen
Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
“Everyone deserves to live a life free of violence. Working together with our federal, municipal and community partners, we are creating safe, supportive and affordable housing options for women and children who are experiencing or at risk of violence. These initiatives show what we can accomplish for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians by working collaboratively with partners.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“Through the Women and Children Shelter and Transitional Housing Initiative, our government is helping create safe environments where a child is able to learn and grow in a stable environment. This is why our government is providing funding to build and operate Hope Haven Transition House, right here in Labrador City. This will be a place of sanctuary for women and their children escaping family violence. It will provide an opportunity to rebuild lives and gain independence and will include access to critical support services.”
Yvonne Jones
Member of Parliament for Labrador
“The second-stage housing project is the result of a collaborative effort by the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to make a safe place for women and their children. Together with contributions from the Iron Ore Company of Canada, Tacora Resources, Hope Haven Transition House and the Town of Labrador City, the new housing unit will be a welcome addition in the community.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs
Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
“Hope Haven has been providing services to women and their children experiencing violence in Labrador West for over 30 years. Second-stage housing will allow us to grow the continuum of supports and safe housing options and help reduce barriers for women leaving violence and abuse. Housing is a human right and is an essential piece of safety planning. We look forward to providing safe and affordable housing to our residents as we continue to work toward violence prevention.”
Nicole Young
Executive Director, Hope Haven Transition House
“IOC has been a partner of Hope Haven Women’s Transition House since it opened in 1989 in Labrador West. We have worked closely throughout the years to support education and awareness initiatives, fund programs, and partnered with them to provide a housing unit during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are pleased to commit $200,000 towards the second-stage housing project to help provide improved, safe and integrated services for women and children fleeing violence in our region.”
Mike McCann
President and CEO, Iron Ore Company of Canada-RioTinto
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LR: Nicole Young, Ex Director; Lorraine Hinks, Constituent Rep,
Julia Mullaley, CEO, NLHC; Noreen Careen, Bd Member, NLHC; &
Minister John Abbott.
The Provincial and Federal Governments today (Friday, November 25) announced an estimated $13.2 million investment, under the National Housing Strategy, to construct a 40-unit affordable, residential apartment complex for low-income households with a focus on seniors and persons with disabilities.
The announcement was made today by the Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation and Joanne Thompson, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East, on behalf of the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
Through the Canada Community Housing Initiative and the Federal Lands Initiative, two pillars of the National Housing Strategy, the Provincial Government acquired federal property in Pleasantville to develop affordable housing. Located on the corner of Charter Avenue and St. John’s Place, the 40-unit building will include one and two-bedroom units.
The building will also exceed local accessibility standards with eight units being fully-wheelchair accessible. The remaining 32 units will have Universal Design features incorporated throughout the property, including items such as widened exterior and interior doors and hallways, and lever-type door handles and faucets. Energy efficiency will also be a key element of the building design.
This new development builds on the commitment of the Federal and Provincial Governments to expand affordable housing in Newfoundland and Labrador through the National Housing Strategy. In 2022, a cost-shared $20.2 million investment was announced to support the construction of 132 affordable housing options in St. John’s, and a further $787,000 cost-shared investment was also announced to develop a new four-unit, affordable residential housing building on Mesher Street in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
Quotes
“Today’s announcement highlights the strong partnership between the Provincial and Federal Governments and the progress being made to expand affordable housing options for seniors and persons with disabilities. Plans for this new complex are intended to also include retail and supportive services space on the ground floor to better serve residents.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Our government is committed to helping those in need, which is why we are investing to create 40 new affordable homes for seniors and women in Pleasantville. These new homes are more than just safe and affordable places to live, they are key to a better life for the residents who will call them home. This is just one of the many ways our government’s National Housing Strategy is creating safe and affordable housing across Canada.”
Honourable Ahmed Hussen
Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion and
Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
“This announcement aligns with Canada Lands Company’s commitment to provide affordable housing options within its projects and communities across Canada. The Federal Lands Initiative is one of the ways in which our Government continues to unlock surplus land and expand the supply of affordable housing for individuals and families right here in Pleasantville.”
Honourable Helena Jazcek
Minister of Public Services and Procurement
“This announcement confirms our commitment to helping seniors and persons with disabilities in Newfoundland and Labrador and throughout the country. Projects like this one are providing safe, affordable housing to many residents in our community while creating jobs and stimulating our economy.”
Joanne Thompson
Member of Parliament for St. John’s East.
“As MHA for Virginia Waters-Pleasantville, I am pleased to see the commitment and collaboration of both the Provincial and Federal Government for this much needed development. Access to supports to maintain housing stability are essential to the social, financial and physical well-being of individuals, families and our communities. This is another great example of the importance of working together to ensure all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have a safe, adequate and affordable place to call home.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Environment and Climate Change and MHA for Virginia Waters-Pleasantville
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Constituency Assistant to Honourable Bernard Davis, MHA for Virginia Waters-Pleasantville
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The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation, and the Honourable John Abbott, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, today provided an update on the work of the Action Team and the coordination of supports for vulnerable populations in Happy Valley-Goose Bay who are experiencing homelessness.
The Action Team was convened in May 2021 to focus attention on vulnerable populations in Happy Valley-Goose Bay who are experiencing, or at risk of homelessness. Representation on the Action Team includes Indigenous Governments and Organizations, community partners, RCMP, the regional health authority, and Government departments and agencies.
A coordinated and collaborative approach has been adopted by Action Team members to address housing, health and other supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness. The team discussions, which are held on a regular basis, are chaired by the Labrador Affairs Secretariat and supported by the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.
The Provincial Government is proud to work alongside our Indigenous and community partners in this effort and acknowledges the hard work and progress that is being achieved to meet the challenges.
The Action Team update is available at this link.
Quotes
“The update from the Action Team provides a good overview of the collaborative work that has been undertaken by members of the Action Team to coordinate supports and services for vulnerable populations. The Action Team is dealing with a complex situation, but their efforts are showing progress. The advances that have been made by the Action Team demonstrate that the challenges facing individuals who are homeless or require housing are best addressed through a community-led approach.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs
Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
“Strong partnerships between federal, provincial, municipal, and Indigenous governments, and community partners is key to finding meaningful solutions to address housing and homelessness needs. We remain committed to working with all of our partners on the Action Team, to develop current and longer term responses to homelessness in the Happy Valley-Goose Bay region.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
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Labrador Affairs Secretariat
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Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
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NGC Nunatsiavut Construction Inc. has been awarded a $2 million contract to undertake extensive exterior renovation and vacancy refurbishment on social housing units in Labrador City. This investment is cost-shared between the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador through NLHC.
This funding will support the renovation of 18 NLHC rental units located on Cavendish Crescent. Construction is set to begin early this spring. All the units will undergo major exterior renovation, including replacement of doors, windows, vinyl siding, roofing, as well as new exterior lighting and exterior wooden stair entrances.
Energy efficiency upgrades will include exterior insulation, increased attic insulation and all units will have new Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) systems installed. Each unit will also have an enhanced life-safety element through the installation of new inter-connected smoke alarm systems.
The contract also includes interior vacancy refurbishments on eight units and comprises items such as interior painting and new flooring installation. This work will build on existing interior vacancy refurbishment underway on another seven units.
The anticipated completion date for this project is February 2023.
Quotes
“Every Canadian deserves a safe place to call home. Today’s announcement in collaboration with our provincial partners is a testament of the crucial role these partnerships play. This renovation in Labrador City represents an important step forward in making sure that we have safe, appropriate, and affordable housing necessary for healthy and sustainable communities.”
Honourable Ahmed Hussen
Minister of Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
“This important work in Labrador West is part of a $17.5 million Federal/Provincial investment being made province-wide through the National Housing Strategy to help preserve, repair and ensure the sustainability of our social housing properties for our communities.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“Our partnership with the Federal Government is helping to make important investments in refurbishing social housing units on Cavendish Crescent in Labrador City. This contract is an example of the advances we can make to improve and sustain social housing properties under the National Housing Strategy.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs
“Access to adequate, affordable housing is the foundation for socio-economic success. It supports better education and health outcomes, better employment prospects and better community engagement and cohesion, not to mention economic growth and financial security. Our Government is committed to providing communities the support they need.”
Yvonne Jones
Member of Parliament for Labrador
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