The Provincial and Federal Governments, through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, are investing a total of $740,000 toward the ongoing revitalization of 24 social housing properties in the Rabbittown area of St. John’s. The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, made the announcement today at the Rabbittown Community Centre in St. John’s.
“I am pleased to announce these federal and provincial investments toward the revitalization of this neighbourhood. This funding has enabled us to increase the lifespan of these properties, and make them more comfortable for individuals and families.”
– The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
A federal and provincial cost-shared investment of $503,000 will provide exterior renovations to 16 homes on Empire and Hoyles Avenues. This work is being funded through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Agreement for Investment in Affordable Housing which has helped stimulate local economies in communities throughout the province. The Provincial Government, through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, is investing an additional $237,000 to renovate another eight dwellings on Empire Avenue.
Bursey Cleaners (2010) Limited has been awarded a $356,000 contract to provide exterior renovations to 12 units on Empire Avenue and Hoyles Avenue. The work will include roofing, siding, window and door replacements, and upgrading electrical, plumbing and ventilation systems.
A second contract for $384,000 has been awarded to Ravencor Projects Inc. to carry out similar exterior renovations and upgrades to 12 additional homes also on Empire and Hoyles Avenues. The anticipated completion date for both of the above contracts is January 2016.
QUICK FACTS
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Media contacts:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Work is expected to begin in early May on a $1.2 million upgrade to Cavendish Crescent area social housing in Labrador City. This is phase one of an extensive three-year revitalization and renewal plan scheduled for the neighbourhood. Details of the plan were unveiled today by the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), and Nick McGrath, MHA for Labrador West.
Cavendish Crescent is one of several multi-year redevelopment projects undertaken by NLHC, which includes a number of older, high-density neighbourhoods throughout the province such as Froude Avenue and Cashin Avenue in St. John’s, and Crestview in Corner Brook.
“Since 2007, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation has been making noticeable progress in modernizing and improving our existing social housing properties throughout the province. This current three-year plan will enable us to upgrade 56 more homes for our tenants and help revitalize another neighbourhood.”
– The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
Complete exterior building renovations will be undertaken and include siding, window, door and roofing replacements, as well as some interior work, such as inter-connected smoke alarms, and the installation of heat recovery ventilation systems in all the units. This work will result in energy efficiencies as well as fire and life safety improvements. Contracts for phase two and three of the revitalization plan will be awarded in fiscal years 2015-16 and 2016-17.
“These renovations will ensure the long-term availability of affordable social housing homes for low-income families and individuals, and will bring immediate benefits to the tenants.”
– The Honourable Keith Russell, Minister of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
The contract for phase one was awarded to Goose Bay Painters Ltd. and the work is expected to be completed by November 2015.
“I am very pleased with the announcement of the investment to make improvements to the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing units in Labrador West. Our government recognizes the importance of a safe and healthy environment for the people of the province, and the current $1.2 million investment for improvements to the housing units in Labrador West is another example of government’s commitment to providing this safe and healthy environment”
– Nick McGrath, MHA for Labrador West
Since 2007, 77 per cent of NLHC’s rental units have received modernization and improvements that will extend the life of the properties. Newfoundland Labrador Housing Corporation owns and maintains 250 social housing residences throughout the Labrador region. These houses can accommodate approximately 625 people, and are located in Labrador City, Happy Valley-Goose Bay and coastal Labrador.
QUICK FACTS
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Media contacts:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Vanessa Colman-Sadd
Director of Communications
Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
709-1495, 682-6593
vanessacolmansadd@gov.nl.ca
Linda Walsh
Communications Manager
House of Assembly
Government Members Office
709-729-0898
lindajwalsh@gov.nl.ca
The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador today announced a combined investment of more than $68 million over five years to help more individuals and families access affordable housing and renovate their existing homes. The funding will be delivered through an extension to the Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) agreement, administered in this province through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC).
“Our government has made historic investments in housing to create better economic outcomes for Canadian families. The Province of Newfoundland and Labrador will be able to direct this new funding into housing solutions that best meet their local needs and priorities.”
– The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development)
Under the IAH agreement, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador can design and deliver a range of affordable housing programs to address local housing needs and priorities. The agreement will enable NLHC to continue partnering with affordable housing developers in the private and non-profit supportive living sectors by investing $27 million to construct about 590 new affordable housing units province-wide. The remaining $41 million will be invested in the Provincial Home Repair Program. Administered and delivered by Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, this program provides financial assistance for renovations and repairs for low-income households thereby enabling them to remain in their own homes longer.
“Providing affordable housing is a challenge that all governments face, and it is important that we work together to identify solutions. This unprecedented five-year Investment in Affordable Housing agreement will significantly improve our ability to offer more affordable rental housing options and enhance our Provincial Home Repair Program for those most in need.”
– The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities, and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
A key objective for the Provincial Government is to stimulate the development of affordable rental housing by the private, public and non-profit sectors. Priority is placed on developing rental housing for persons with complex needs, persons with disabilities, seniors and people who require support to live independently in the community. By the end of 2019, a total of 1,700 new affordable homes will have been created under the IAH program.
“I am pleased that our governments continue to invest in housing to improve the lives of Canadians; especially here in Newfoundland and Labrador. This investment will ensure that people in this province continue to have access to safe and affordable housing.”
– The Honourable Rob Moore, Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador and Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
On August 16, 2011, the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador announced an IAH agreement with a combined investment of some $41 million for the 2011-2014 period. This new agreement extends the original agreement for the 2014-2019 period, with an additional combined investment of more than $68 million. From April 2011 to September 2014, the IAH has already helped close to 213,000 households nationally, including almost 6,400 in Newfoundland and Labrador.
“The Provincial Government, through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, invests significantly in social housing. This federal-provincial agreement will provide more affordable homes for seniors and others in housing need, and enable more individuals and families to repair their own homes and continue living in their communities.”
– The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Annually, the Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), will invest approximately $2 billion in housing. These investments improve the quality of life for low-income Canadians and households living in existing social housing, including individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal people. Economic Action Plan 2013 continued this commitment with a federal investment of more than $1.25 billion over five years to renew the Investment in Affordable Housing to 2019. The Government of Canada will ensure that funds provided to provinces and territories support the use of apprentices, which will support training of skilled labour.
To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC help Canadians meet their housing needs, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca . For more information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, call 1-800-O-Canada or visit www.actionplan.gc.ca .
QUICK FACTS
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Media contacts:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Katherine LeBlanc
Consultant, Communications and Marketing
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
902-426-6581
krleblan@cmhc-schl.gc.ca
Kevin Guest
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs
709-729-1983, 730-2320
kevinjguest@gov.nl.ca
The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, today congratulated two St. John’s sisters − Lindsay and Janine Winter − on winning both categories in the corporation’s inaugural Fire Prevention Video/Poster Contest.
“I congratulate Lindsay and Janine, two talented and creative young women, who are also very savvy about fire prevention. With over 5,500 housing units throughout the province, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation is pleased to see that our young people recognize fire hazards and know the importance of fire prevention measures in the home.”
– The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
In August, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation announced its first province-wide Fire Prevention Video/Poster Contest for tenants’ children aged 6-16 years. Janine, 13, captured the poster contest, while her sister Lindsay, 12, won the video contest. The sisters, both residents of St. John’s, will each receive an Apple iPad mini.
The entries were judged for originality and art content. Judges were Kieran Dunn, Safety Officer, Nicole Lindahl, Safety Intern, and Corina Crocker, Fire Warden, with Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.
The winning entries can be viewed here:
Poster
Video
QUICK FACTS
– 30 –
Media contacts:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca