The Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador and MHA for Virginia Waters, will announce the recipients of the 2012-13 Provincial Homelessness Fund today, (Thursday, November 15.) Joining the Premier will be the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.
The event will take place 2:30 p.m. at the Independent Living Resource Centre, 4 Escasoni Place, St. John’s.
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Media contacts:
Lynn Hammond
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
lynnhammond@gov.nl.ca
Debbie Marnell
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
709-729-4304, 697-3128
debbiemarnell@gov.nl.ca
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
Social housing in Grand Falls-Windsor and Point Leamington will be upgraded this fall as renovation work continues province-wide through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation’s annual Modernization and Improvement Program.
“Making enhancements to existing social housing has been a priority for this government,” said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC). “The Modernization and Improvement Program has seen renovations to 3,500 social housing units in the last five years, with the goal of completing improvements to all NLHC units by 2017.”
Platinum Builders Ltd. has been awarded a contract valued at $136,000 to complete renovations on eight units in Grand Falls-Windsor, including the replacement of roofing and exterior doors, and the installation of new insulation, plumbing, and fixtures. Steps, decks and ramps will also be upgraded.
“This work is an excellent example of our government’s commitment to upgrading social housing throughout the province,” said Ray Hunter, MHA for Grand Falls-Windsor – Green Bay South. “The renovations in Grand Falls-Windsor will benefit families, and help to enhance these units, so that they can continue to serve the community well into the future.”
J.J. Enterprises Ltd. has been awarded a contract valued at $84,000 to renovate seven units in Point Leamington, which may include the replacement of siding, roofing, windows or doors, or the installation of new plumbing and fixtures. Steps, decks or ramps may also be upgraded as part of this work.
“Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation has been ambitious in its efforts to renovate its rental units throughout the province, and the results are impressive,” said Clayton Forsey, MHA for Exploits. “The upgrades are an important part of how we are meeting the needs of people who have low incomes or are in vulnerable circumstances.”
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, 699-0470
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Communications
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Tess Burke
Communications Manager
Government Members Office
709-729-3551, 699-2402
TessBurke@gov.nl.ca
Roof replacements that will help enhance energy efficiency are underway on 18 social housing units in St. John’s, as Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation continues its annual Modernization and Improvement Program.
“Over the last five years, our government has invested significantly in upgrading existing social housing and I am pleased with the progress made in communities across the province,” said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. “As we continue annual renovations, we strive to improve energy efficiency of the properties, so they can continue to be comfortable homes that meet the needs of tenants.”
G.S. Hunt Ltd. was awarded the contract valued at $117,000 to complete the work on the homes located on Wigmore Court and Livingstone Street in St. John’s. The project is expected to be completed in December.
These types of building renovations support 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.
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, 699-0470
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Communications
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Choices for Youth, a St. John’s organization that provides housing supports to at-risk youth, received national recognition today (Monday, October 29) for its Train for Trades program, which provides young people with hands-on work experience in the trades. Choices for Youth offers Train for Trades employment opportunities to young people through a partnership with Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.
“This national recognition is highly deserved and I congratulate Choices for Youth for the innovative programming it is creating to help young people realize their potential,” said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC). “Train for Trades provides youth with real-life skills and work experience that can help them pursue satisfying careers, and NLHC is proud to be a partner in this valuable project.”
Choices for Youth is one of four organizations to receive the $25,000 award from Eva’s Initiatives, a national organization aimed at creating long-term solutions for homeless youth. Choices for Youth works with approximately 600 young people each year in the St. John’s area, providing housing, training, skills development, supports and referrals.
In 201O, the Provincial Government announced more than $560,000 in funding to support the administration of Train for Trades. Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation and the Canadian Union of Public Employees have partnered with Choices for Youth on the program to complete home energy efficiency retrofits on NLHC units. By the end of this year 150 units will be completed, and in the process, approximately 40 young people will have received hands-on work experience and valuable training from skilled workers in the construction industry.
Supporting employment opportunities for at-risk youth is in keeping with the Provincial Government’s Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador – Secure Foundations, released by the Provincial Government in August 2009. The plan outlines a 10-year vision for social housing aimed at improving the housing circumstances of low-income households and helping create healthier communities.
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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
Manager, Communications
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca