The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and the Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, today announced more people can use the Home Energy Savings Program to burn less oil in their homes, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions while also lowering their heating bills. The household income limit has been raised from $32,500 to $52,500.
Delivered by the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, the Home Energy Savings Program – Oil Heat allows eligible homeowners of single, row and semi-detached housing who heat their homes with oil, to receive non-repayable grants of up to $5,000 to make energy efficient upgrades. Typically, upgrades such as insulating the basement or attic of a home have the greatest initial impact on energy efficiency. The program is offered province-wide on a first-come, first-served basis and subject to funding availability. Application forms and additional information on this program can be found online.
In January 2019, the Provincial and Federal Governments announced $89.4 million in joint funding for the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund to support Newfoundland and Labrador’s climate action programs. Over the life of the fund, approximately $45.6 million is being provided by the Federal Government and the Provincial Government is contributing $43.9 million to support projects and programs, such as the Home Energy Savings Program, that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the province.
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“Actions taken for residents in our province such as support for the Home Energy Savings Program – Oil Heat, help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and I encourage all those eligible to apply. Along with the continued implementation of our Climate Change Action Plan, energy efficient programs also help stimulate clean innovation and growth, build resilience to climate change impacts and support the development of a green economy.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Environment and Climate Change
“As a government, we remain committed to reducing the province’s carbon footprint, improving the comfort and ‘health’ of a home, and continuing to ensure housing remains affordable for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. We have heard increased concerns about the rising cost of home heating fuel, and I am pleased to see this increased eligibility for the Home Energy Savings Program – Oil Heat, which enables the Provincial Government to assist approximately 200 households each year to complete energy efficiency upgrades, and reduce their energy costs.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“The Home Energy Savings Program is wonderful, and has helped us save over $900 annually on our oil heating costs. We’re very pleased and highly recommend the program, which has made our home much more energy efficient and warmer during the long winter months.”
Shirley and David Neville
HESP-Oil Clients
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Lynn Robinson
Environment and Climate Change
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Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
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jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, recognized today (November 22), as National Housing Day. This annual event provides an opportunity to acknowledge the importance of affordable housing in communities throughout our country.
In 2019, under the National Housing Strategy, our province signed a ten-year agreement with the Federal Government that will see cost-shared investments in excess of $344 million to preserve, repair and expand social and community housing and respond to diverse housing needs throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
Earlier this year, we announced a cost-shared investment for 2020-21 of $17 million to complete much needed repairs to Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation’s social housing stock.
We also recently announced a new Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Benefit that will see further cost-shared investments of $74 million over the next seven years to increase access to safe, adequate and affordable housing for renters in the private market.
These agreements show what can be achieved through strong partnerships and highlights the power of working together to build stronger and healthier communities.
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“The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador remains committed to addressing the diverse housing needs in our province – from those at risk of or experiencing homelessness to individuals and families facing challenges with housing affordability. As access to safe and affordable housing is a key determinant of health, our government will continue to make investments to ensure we have the necessary supports and resources in place across the full housing continuum.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
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Learn more
News Release – Announcing the Canada – Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Benefit
News Release – Provincial and Federal Governments Announce $270 Million Housing Agreement
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Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
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jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador today announced seven successful recipients of the Provincial Housing and Homelessness Partnership Fund.
Today’s investment of $1.5 million will strengthen partnerships within our communities that will help to address emerging provincial housing priorities while supporting the broad outcomes and objectives within the 10-year National Housing Strategy (NHS), launched in 2017.
Organizations and municipalities receiving funding are:
The Provincial Housing and Homelessness Partnership Fund is designed to support projects throughout the province which leverage partnerships and strengthen capacity of the community housing sector to provide housing options for low-income households.
Investments are intended to target vulnerable populations, including women and children fleeing domestic violence, Indigenous peoples, seniors, young adults, persons with disabilities, persons experiencing mental health and addictions issues, and persons experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness.
This investment also builds on the recently announced Canada Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Benefit. Through a cost-shared investment of $74.3 million, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation will expand the number of households receiving support to rent in the private market from 1,800 to over 2,600 by 2027-28.
The Canada Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Benefit will target households in severe core housing need and provide a direct housing affordability benefit to improve housing outcomes for some of our province’s most vulnerable populations.
Quotes
“Having a safe, comfortable and affordable home is something many of us take for granted yet not everyone is fortunate to have such circumstances. Through the Provincial Housing and Homelessness Partnership Fund, we are working with our federal, municipal, Indigenous and community partners, to building stronger communities and provide housing supports to those who need them most.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“The projects announced today through the Provincial Housing and Homelessness Partnership Fund are the result of great partnerships, working together to respond to housing and homelessness needs in our communities. This funding, along with the recently announced Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Benefit, builds on the work we have started to ensure all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have safe, stable and affordable housing.
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Through announcements such as this, we clearly see what collaboration can achieve. Together with our partners, our government is supplying the people of St. John’s and beyond with affordable housing and the peace of mind to raise their families in a safe and healthy environment. Congratulations to the successful proponents. Together, we are building hope and a better country that leaves no one behind.”
Honourable Ahmed Hussen
Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion and
Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
“Canada’s National Housing Strategy is providing affordable homes for the people of St. John’s South – Mount Pearl and across Newfoundland and Labrador. Through a collaborative ten year plan, we’re ensuring that our strategy helps our most vulnerable citizens first and foremost. Partnerships like the one we are celebrating here today are important to finding every Canadian a safe place to call home.”
Honourable Seamus O’Regan
Minister of Labour
Member of Parliament for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl
“The Salvation Army continues to partner with government to support the needs of our community. We are grateful today for this extension of support from the Federal and Provincial government that will enable us to provide accommodation for those needing a place to call home”.
Lt.-Colonel Eddie Vincent
Divisional Commander, The Salvation Army, Newfoundland and Labrador
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Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
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Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
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Mikaela Harrison
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
mikaela.harrison@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
media@cmhc.ca
Honourable John Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) is pleased to announce the Corporation’s recently constructed eight-unit building on Froude Avenue, St. John’s has been officially certified through the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ (RHFAC) Program.
Minister Abbott recently visited one of the families in their new home and heard first-hand the positive difference these construction design features can have in the lives of people with accessibility needs.
RHFAC is a national rating system launched in 2017 which helps measure the accessibility of buildings and sites based on a consistent methodology, and promotes increased access through the adoption of Universal Design principles.
The building includes four wheelchair-accessible, two-bedroom units on the main level, and four two-bedroom units on the second level. The Universal Design features used throughout the building include items such as:
Ensuring all units in the building were energy efficient was a key element in design and construction. In addition to exceeding the National Building Code requirements for energy performance, the building also complied with the Provincial Government’s ‘Build Better Buildings’ policy. The property was also assessed under the EnerGuide for Homes rating system, confirming the units are energy efficient and will help reduce occupants’ energy costs.
Quotes
“I’m proud to say that in addition to receiving the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification, this development is the first multi-unit, residential building in Atlantic Canada to receive this designation. These construction features highlight the vision and skill of our NLHC team who planned and worked diligently to create these inclusive, energy-efficient and welcoming homes.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“Our new home has made a remarkable difference for our family. My daughter has been smiling since the day we moved in, thanks to the freedom and independence it offers her. I also want to thank NLHC’s staff who were incredibly helpful and made everything much easier for us.”
Clyde Driscoll
NLHC Tenant, Froude Avenue, St. John’s
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Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca