The Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, will be joined by the Honourable David Wells, Senator for Newfoundland and Labrador, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, to announce investments towards the redevelopment of social housing in the Empire Avenue-Graves Street neighbourhood of St. John’s.
The announcement will take place Monday, February 25, 9:00 a.m., at the Rabbittown Community Centre, 26 Graves Street, St. John’s.
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Media contact:
Ed Moriarity
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 699-5668
edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca
Four families in Hopedale are enjoying their first winter in new affordable housing as a result of a $942,000 Provincial Government investment through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.
“Supporting the construction of affordable housing in northern communities is part of the Provincial Government’s commitment to meeting the housing needs of people with low incomes,” said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. “As well as constructing new social housing, our government is partnering with private and non-profit groups in Labrador to find innovative community solutions for homelessness, and to provide affordable housing for people in vulnerable circumstances.”
The four, two-bedroom units were completed in December.
“These units are an example of how our government is committed to providing affordable housing options for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians,” said the Honourable Nick McGrath, Minister of Service NL and Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs. “This project directly supports the Northern Strategic Plan, and the goals of developing programs and services that meet the needs of Labrador communities.”
This is the second recent investment in new social housing construction in coastal Labrador. In 2012, the Provincial Government completed four three-bedroom homes in Nain with an investment of $945,000.
“Our government is committed to policies and initiatives that support Aboriginal people and communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador,” said the Honourable Felix Collins, Minister for Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs. “This investment in affordable housing in Hopedale is further proof of that commitment and I am pleased these four new two-bedroom housing units are complete and four families have made them their homes.”
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:
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
Roger Scaplen
Director of Communications
Intergovernmental and Aboriginal
Affairs
Labrador Affairs Office
709-729-1674, 697-5267
rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca
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.
– 30 –
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