The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills:
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to update my Honourable colleagues on the work of the Supportive Housing Action Team. This group was established to help address short-and long-term housing needs for displaced residents of Newman’s boarding home in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. It is chaired by Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.
I wish to express sincere thanks to all community groups, government agencies and departments and the Nunatsiavut Government who came together so quickly and responded to residents’ urgent needs, immediately providing shelter and necessary supports. Following the short-term response, the community partners have also expressed their appreciation of our approach in focusing on long-term solutions, and we cannot give them enough credit for stepping up in the way they have to help find housing for those individuals who were displaced.
Today the majority of tenants are in public or non-profit rental housing or with family and friends, receiving supports and assistance as necessary, while longer-term solutions are sought.
We recognize this is a complex problem and finding longer-term solutions requires a combined effort across multiple organizations and community groups. The Supportive Housing Action Team includes senior officials from across a number of Provincial Government departments – Advanced Education and Skills, Health and Community Services, Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, as well as Labrador Grenfell Health and representation from the Nunatsiavut Government.
Mr. Speaker, the team has been meeting weekly and is fully engaged and working with Melville Native Housing, the Salvation Army, the Labrador Friendship Centre, the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and others in the community to ensure long-term housing solutions are developed.
As we consider options and work towards solutions, we are grateful to everyone involved for the time and effort they have contributed. The collective response was truly outstanding and is a testament to what can be accomplished when we all work together.
Thank you.
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The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), will attend the official opening of 12 affordable seniors apartments tomorrow (Wednesday, May 21). The opening will take place at 77 Charter Avenue, Pleasantville in St. John’s at 11:30 a.m.
Minister O’Brien will be joined by Len Simms, CEO of NLHC, and Ron Ellsworth, Deputy Mayor of St. John’s.
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Media contact:
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Advanced Education and Skills
709-729-0753, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) has awarded contracts of $1.2 million for major renovations and energy-efficiency upgrades to social housing and for the construction of four apartments in St. John’s.
“This investment is an excellent example of the work Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation is doing to ensure that existing social housing lasts well into the future to meet the housing needs of persons with low-incomes. As well, the construction of four apartments for individuals or families will help address the increased demand for smaller accommodations for single adults and persons with disabilities.”
– The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
Can-Am Platforms and Construction Ltd. has been awarded a $536,000 contract to construct a four-unit building on Prospero Place containing one-bedroom apartments. The building will have two upper-level and two-lower level apartments, with the lower-level units being fully accessible. The anticipated completion date for the project is January 2015.
G.S. Hunt Ltd. has been awarded two contracts valued at $376,000, which includes $99,000 for exterior renovations and repairs to four social housing units at Regatta Terrace. The work will include siding, window, door replacements, installing new eaves, bathroom and kitchen fans and related ductwork, upgrading plumbing and electrical works, and installing heat reduction ventilation units. The anticipated completion date for the work is July 2014.
G.S. Hunt Ltd. was also awarded a $277,000 contract to upgrade an eight-unit building on Graves Street. The work will include roof, siding, window and door replacements, some interior painting and repairs, as well as plumbing and electrical upgrades including the installation of new bathroom and kitchen fans and dryer ventilation hoods. The anticipated completion date for the project is December 2014.
Eastern Siding Systems Inc. will carry out $298,000 in exterior and interior renovations on four homes on Guy Street. The work will include roof, siding, window and door replacements, electrical upgrades as well as the installation of Heat Recovery Ventilation systems, and new fans for the kitchen, dryer and bathroom, which will improve ventilation and air quality in the units. The anticipated completion date for the project is August 2014.
Since January 2013, $10 million has been invested to renovate approximately 450 social housing units throughout the province. To date, approximately 75 per cent of units province-wide have received exterior upgrades. Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation continues to help meet the social housing needs of smaller families and single people through reconfiguration projects.
QUICK FACTS
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Media contacts:
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Advanced Education and Skills
709-729-0753, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Communications
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing
Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
The Provincial and Nunatsiavut Governments have committed $700,000 to assist low-income homeowners in Inuit communities who require immediate renovations to their homes. Budget 2014: Shared Prosperity, Fair Society, Balanced Outlook provides $350,000 towards an equal partnership with the Nunatsiavut Government to assist low-income private homeowners in Nunatsiavut complete major renovations. The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), joined Sarah Leo, President of Nunatsiavut, today in Nain to announce the one-time initiative developed in partnership with NLHC.
“We are very pleased to be able to partner with the Nunatsiavut Government on this initiative. As recently identified in the Inuit Housing Needs Assessment, this investment will help address some of the housing repair needs of Inuit residents in Inuit communities. We will continue to work with the Nunatsiavut Government to finalize details of the program and develop an initiative that will help ensure families can continue living safely and comfortably in their own homes.”
– The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
The Housing Needs Assessment, funded equally by the Nunatsiavut, Provincial and Federal Governments, was carried out in each Labrador Inuit community during the fall of 2012. It identified individual and family housing needs of Nunatsiavut residents, and the need for improved housing in Nunatsiavut, in particular in the communities of Nain and Hopedale.
“Inadequate standards of housing and housing shortages continue to plague many of our communities, particularly Nain and Hopedale. The funding announced today will provide some assistance to homeowners who are unable to avail of existing programs to carry out badly needed renovations and repairs to them homes. The Nunatsiavut Government is pleased to partner with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador on this initiative as we continue to work on developing a long-term strategy to address the current housing crisis in our communities.”
– Sarah Leo, President of Nunatsiavut
Both governments are committed to seeking solutions which can provide the best possible housing options for seniors, families and individuals most in need.
“This investment captures the commitment of both governments to work collaboratively to advance initiatives that benefit individuals and families in Nunatsaivut. I believe that through continued partnerships and dialogue we can deliver programming that meets the cultural and geographic requirements of Inuit communities.”
– The Honourable Nick McGrath, Minister Responsible for Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to supporting important social programs, strong communities and the health and well-being of children, families and seniors.
QUICK FACTS
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Media contacts:
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Advanced Education and Skills
709-729-0753, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca
Scott Barfoot
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 690-6290
scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca
Bert Pomeroy
Director of Communications
Nunatsiavut Government
709-896-8582, 899-0004
bert_pomeroy@nunatsiavut.com
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Communications
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca