The Government and Newfoundland and Labrador continues to invest in affordable housing as Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) awards contracts valued at $124,000 to renovate social housing units on Bell Island.
“As part of our annual modernization and improvement program, hundreds of affordable housing units are being renovated in communities across the province this year,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister Responsible for NLHC. “Providing modern and affordable social housing is a key to ensuring the well-being of people with low incomes, and we are making significant progress.”
Ken Mar Ltd. has been awarded a contract valued at $75,000 to renovate two units while G.S. Hunt was awarded a contract valued at $49,000 to renovate two units. Renovations for both projects include siding, window, roofing, exterior door, and ventilation system replacements, for improved energy efficiency. These types of building renovation projects support the commitments in the Provincial Government’s action plans focused on climate change and energy efficiency approaches. Repairs to steps, decks and ramps will also be completed.
“This new work is among several social housing renovations and improvement projects underway on Bell Island this summer,” said David Brazil, MHA for Conception Bay East-Bell Island. “I am pleased to see this investment in maintaining affordable homes for families and individuals with low incomes in our community.”
A Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador – 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:
Jason Card
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Communications
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Tess Burke
Communications
Government Members’ Office
709-729-3551
tessburke@gov.nl.ca
Dozens of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) affordable units in St. John’s and Mount Pearl will see fresh paint this summer as Eastern Siding Systems Ltd. completes a contract valued at $73,000 to paint the exterior of 48 housing units.
“The Provincial Government is committed to maintaining our social housing units for the long term,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister Responsible for NHLC. “Across the province, NLHC and its partners have made significant progress modernizing and improving social housing, and this exterior painting project in the capital city region will help advance the ongoing maintenance of these homes.”
The St. John’s units are located on Livingstone Street, Regatta Terrace, Hamilton Avenue, Feild Street, Beaumont Street, Cabot Street, and Chalker Place.
“I am pleased with the work that is being accomplished by Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation,” said Tom Osborne, MHA for St. John’s South. “All renovations and improvements completed through the annual modification and improvement program, including exterior painting projects such as this, are vital to ensuring these affordable homes will continue to be available in our communities.”
Work will also take place on Farrell Drive in Mount Pearl.
“Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation is making great progress with enhancing its affordable housing units, and this painting project will do much to revitalize the units in this neighbourhood,” said Steve Kent, MHA for Mount Pearl North.
A Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador – 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.
– 30 –
Media contacts:
Jason Card
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Communications
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Tess Burke
Communications
Government Members’ Office
709-729-3551
tessburke@gov.nl.ca
More than $3 million was invested by the Provincial Government in Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation’s (NLHC) Home Modification Program this year to help nearly 500 homeowners with low-to-moderate incomes make accessibility modifications to their homes.
“This annual program helps seniors and persons with disabilities afford the modifications they need to make their living spaces more manageable and comfortable,” said Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister Responsible for NLHC. “There are many ways to enhance the accessibility of a home, and the Home Modification Program is designed to provide people the opportunity to address accessibility needs, which in turn enables people to continue living in their own homes.”
The average Home Modification Program user is approximately 68 years of age, has a household income of approximately $18,200, and lives in a 47-year-old house. The types of projects that can be undertaken with a Home Modification Program loan or grant include ramp installations, interior chair lifts, widening of doorways and halls, kitchen and bathroom alterations such as lowering kitchen counters, and the installation of walk-in showers.
This investment of more than $3 million in the Home Modification Program directly supports the goals of the Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador – Secure Foundations, released by the Provincial Government in August 2009, which includes supporting home modifications to address the accessibility needs of seniors and persons with disabilities.
The Home Modification Program is an initiative which complements the provincial strategy for the inclusion of persons with disabilities, Access. Inclusion. Equality., released in April 2012. This strategy provides guidance to departments and agencies across the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, and is designed to bring about substantive change within policies, services, programs and attitudes.
Applications for the next year of the program can be downloaded from www.nlhc.nl.ca , and are also available at NLHC regional offices.
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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
BACKGROUNDER
Home Modification Program Allocations for 2011-12 by NLHC Regional Office area
| Region Office | Number of Homeowners | Total |
| Avalon | 152 | $929,127 |
| Marystown | 30 | $182,772 |
| Goose Bay | 11 | $70,902 |
| Gander | 53 | $369,133 |
| Grand Falls | 113 | $688,798 |
| Corner Brook | 63 | $349,666 |
| Stephenville | 69 | $455,488 |
| All Regions | 491 | $3,045,886 |
Affordable housing continues to be a priority for the Provincial Government, as demonstrated by a recent investment in renovations valued at $600,000 for social housing units at Wigmore Court in St. John’s. Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) is expanding on significant work completed in the area over the last three years with modifications to 20 units that include siding, window, door, step, deck and ramp replacements.
“The Provincial Government’s continued investment in this neighbourhood is modernizing these homes, which in turn enhances the well-being of tenants for years to come,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister Responsible for NHLC. “Much work has already been done, including a remarkable makeover to the 50-unit apartment building for seniors, and we hope to complete renovations to all homes in the neighbourhood over the next two years.”
The work on the 20-unit project is being done by NLHC staff and is expected to be completed in spring 2013.
A Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador – 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.
– 30 –
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 and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca