The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador continues to advance affordable housing initiatives with $152,000 to support energy efficiency improvements to social housing in Western Newfoundland through the modernization and improvement program.
“Properly maintaining social housing is a priority for this government, as it ensures properties will continue to be available as affordable homes for people with low incomes,” said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. “These renovations will modernize homes and help improve the energy efficiency of the properties. Increased energy efficiency will in turn help families maintain sustainable utility costs.”
With an investment of $60,000, heat recovery ventilation units have been installed in 16 homes on Olympic Place in Corner Brook. These units are designed to introduce fresh air to a building and improve indoor air quality, while promoting efficient energy use. This type of renovation directly supports the commitments in the Provincial Government’s action plans focused on climate change and energy efficiency, Charting Our Course: Climate Change Action Plan 2011, and Moving Forward: Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2011.
“This government is committed to leading by example in increasing energy efficiency and sustainable energy practices, and we are seeing evidence of this commitment in renovation opportunities for affordable housing,” said the Honourable Tom Marshall, Minister of Natural Resources and MHA for Humber East. “Each upgrade extends the life of these properties, and ensures the continuation of safe and affordable housing in our community.”
EJB Contracting Ltd. has been awarded a contract valued at $92,000 to replace siding, doors, windows and roofing on four units on Pratt Street in Corner Brook. As well, additional insulation will be installed under the new siding, and heat recovery ventilation units will be installed.
“This government continues to invest significantly in the modernization of social housing in the Corner Brook area and throughout western Newfoundland,” said Vaughn Granter, MHA for Humber West. “As outlined in Secure Foundations – A Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador, this government is committed to improving the housing circumstances of individuals and families with low-incomes, and these renovations will help achieve that goal by renewing the properties, and making these homes more comfortable for tenants.”
Secure Foundations, released by the Provincial Government in August 2009, outlines a 10-year vision for social housing. It is aimed at improving the housing circumstances of low-income households and helping create healthier communities. Budget 2012: People and Prosperity 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:
Ed Moriarity
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 699-5668
edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Communications
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing
Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Lary Wells
Executive Assistant to the
Honourable Tom Marshall
MHA for Humber East
709-729-4746
larrywells@gov.nl.ca
Tess Burke
Communications Manager
Government Members Office
709-729-3511, 699-2402
tessburke@gov.nl.ca
Single people and smaller families are benefitting from new social housing options that better meet their needs. Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) is undertaking another reconfiguration project that redesigns an existing three-bedroom social housing unit in Buckmaster’s Circle, St. John’s into a two-bedroom home and a single-bedroom apartment. Eastern Siding Systems Ltd. was awarded a $177,000 contract to complete this work.
“Reconfigured housing is a smart and innovative approach that provides new affordable housing options in response to the changing needs of single adults and smaller families,” said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. “This project demonstrates that our housing portfolio can successfully adapt existing larger units to create additional homes within the same original space.”
With an investment of $1 million in 2010, the Provincial Government began developing options to address demographic changes impacting the demand for social housing. The first reconfiguration project on Wheeler’s Road in Corner Brook saw the remodelling of two adjoining town houses to create two single-bedroom apartments and one two-bedroom fully accessible home. Last year, two three-bedroom duplexes on Mundy Pond Road in St. John’s were reconfigured into four one-bedroom apartments. The work on the Buckmaster Circle project began in November 2012. It is anticipated to be completed this spring.
Secure Foundations, released by the Provincial Government in August 2009, advances a 10-year vision for social housing. It is aimed at improving the housing circumstances of low-income households and helping create healthier communities. Budget 2012: People and Prosperity 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:
Ed Moriarity
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 699-5668
edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador today joined the Melville Native Housing Association in celebrating the completion of renovations to 75 affordable social housing homes owned and managed by the association in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Contributions of $1.5 million were provided by both levels of government for a total investment of $3 million.
The funding was made available through Canada’s Economic Action Plan – the Federal Government’s plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. The federal and provincial governments have contributed equally to these renovations through an overall investment of $58 million under the amended 2009 Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Affordable Housing Program Agreement.
“Our government is committed to supporting communities across Canada and giving a hand-up to those in need,” said the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. “Through investments to organizations such as the Melville Native Housing Association, we are helping Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to renovate their homes while creating jobs locally.”
“The Provincial Government is a proud partner of the Melville Native Housing Association, and we appreciate the fabulous work they do to provide quality, affordable housing for people in Labrador,” said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. “Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation and its partners remain committed to improving the housing circumstances of people with low incomes, which helps create strong and healthy communities.”
Funding in the amount of $175,000 was also made available for this project through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation’s Modernization and Improvement Program. The combined investment of $3.17 million allowed for substantial renovation work to be completed by the Melville Native Housing Association, including the replacement of siding, doors, windows, and roofs for 75 units. The association is a volunteer, non-profit organization formed in 1985 to help address the housing needs of Aboriginal people residing in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
“This was a tremendously important project for our organization, because it gave us the opportunity to make necessary and substantial upgrades to all of our 75 homes,” said Matthew Pike, Chairperson, Melville Native Housing Association. “We firmly believe investments in long-term affordable rental housing provide people with opportunities for a better future, and we thank the Federal and Provincial Governments for their continued support.”
The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest approximately $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of almost 605,000 households living in existing social housing. In Newfoundland and Labrador, this represents some 12, 250 households. These investments are improving the quality of life for low-income Canadians 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.
A key objective for the Provincial Government is to stimulate the development of affordable rental housing by the private, public, and non-profit sectors. Priority is placed on developing rental housing for persons with disabilities, seniors, and people 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. A copy of the social housing plan is available atwww.nlhc.nl.ca/documents/publications/ShpDocument2009.pdf.
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-schl.gc.ca.
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Media contacts:
Ed Moriarity
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 699-5668
edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing
Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Katherine LeBlanc
Communications,
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
902-426-6581
krleblan@cmhc.ca
Marian Ngo
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Matthew Pike, Chairperson
Melville Native Housing Association
709-896-9420
norlogics@gmail.com
Melville Native Housing Association in Happy Valley-Goose Bay celebrated the completion of over $3 million in renovations to 75 affordable social housing homes on January 18. The Federal and Provincial Governments each investment $1.5 million and NLHC invested an additional $175,000 from its Modernization & Improvement Program. On hand for the celebrations were, from left: Glenn Furlong, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation; Gary Mitchell, Vice-President, Melville Native Housing Association; Keith Russell, MHA for Lake Melville; Shaun MacLean, Secretary with Melville Housing; tenant Evelyn Rose; the Hon. Nick McGrath, Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs, who represented the Hon. Paul Davis at the event; Matthew Pike, Chairperson of Melville Housing; and Wanda Lyall, the organization’s manager.