Members of the seniors community and Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) today celebrated the official opening of 12 new affordable seniors apartments in St. John’s, through an investment of $2.3 million by the Provincial Government.
“Everyone deserves the dignity of a safe and affordable place to call home. An investment of $2.3 million shows this government’s firm commitment to provide affordable and accessible housing, and ensure social housing properties meet the future needs of people on low incomes. This latest addition provides Newfoundland and Labrador Housing with nine senior complexes in the City of St. John’s.”– The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.
The 12 apartments include two fully accessible units, and are located on the second level of the Charter Avenue building in Pleasantville, which is a smoke-free apartment complex. Eleven of the apartments are now full, with officials seeking applicants for the second fully-accessible unit.
In addition to NLHC’s own developments, a key objective for the Provincial Government is to stimulate the development of affordable rental housing by the private, public and non-profit sectors under the Investment in Affordable Housing Agreements. Priority is placed on developing rental housing for persons with disabilities, seniors, and people who require supports to live independently in the community. This work is in keeping with A Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador – Secure Foundations, released by the Provincial Government in August 2009, which outlines a long-term vision for social housing. A copy of the social housing plan is available at www.nlhc.nl.ca/SocialHsingPlan/report.pdf.
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
Communications Manager
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
A Provincial Government investment of almost $1.2 million through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation’s (NLHC) Provincial Homelessness Fund will enable 17 non-profit groups to improve services for those at risk of homelessness, the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for NLHC, announced in St. John’s today.
“The Provincial Homelessness Fund supports our non-profit partners working in communities throughout the province to help people who are vulnerable to homelessness and poverty,” said Minister Davis. “We are very pleased to provide $1.2 million in funding this year which will allow our non-profit partners to improve and broaden their reach to those most in need.”
Since 2009, 64 grants totalling $5 million have been provided through the Provincial Homelessness Fund to 43 non-profit organizations. Under the program, registered non-profit groups can apply for funding to assist with the costs of developing space to provide on-site outreach services and promote housing stability for those at risk of homelessness.
Saint Luke’s Seniors Complex in St. John’s, a division of Anglican Homes Inc. and one of the 17 funding recipients, received $200,000 in Provincial Homelessness Funding to provide programming and services for both resident and non-resident seniors.
“This support allows us to further implement our continuum of care vision for seniors and others,” said Robert Sexty, Past Chair of the Board of Directors, Anglican Homes Inc. “Services to be offered in the space will include life skills classes, wellness programs, community cooking classes, fitness classes and visiting specialty medical clinics. The space will also allow Anglican Homes to partner with other agencies who provide programming and supports to seniors, such as the Senior’s Resource Centre.”
A complete list of 2013-14 Provincial Homelessness Fund recipients is provided in the backgrounder below.
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 creating healthier communities.
Media contacts:
Carol Ann Carter
Director of Communications (Acting)
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-1758, 631-9505
carolanncarter@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Robert Sexty
Past Chair of the Board of Directors
Anglican Homes Inc.
709-864-4514, 579-3311 (afternoons)
rsexty@mun.ca
| Recipients | Total |
|---|---|
| Iris Kirby House, St. John’s | $50,000 |
| Anglican Homes Inc. (Saint Luke’s), St. John’s | $200,000 |
| Labrador West Housing and Homelessness Coalition | $200,000 |
| Parkview Apartments, Corner Brook | $150,000 |
| The Gathering Place, St. John’s | $250,000 |
| Stella Burry (Cabot St. Renovations), St. John’s | $50,000 |
| Independent Living Resource Centre, St. John’s | $50,000 |
| Jimmy Pratt Memorial Outreach Centre, St. John’s | $24,025 |
| Salvation Army, Gander | $27,050 |
| Salvation Army, Conception Bay South | $22,500 |
| Committee on Family Violence, Corner Brook | $6,600 |
| Holy Trinity Food Bank, Torbay | $10,000 |
| Aunt Jean’s Place, Stephenville | $60,000 |
| Church of the Good Sheppard, Mount Pearl | $25,000 |
| Anglican Parish of Bell Island | $20,000 |
| The HUB, St. John’s | $27,000 |
| Tommy Sexton Centre, St. John’s | $22,155 |
| Total | $1,194,330 |
Nineteen community-based organizations operating 26 projects throughout the province will benefit from $3.9 million being provided through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation’s (NLHC) Supportive Living Program, the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for NLHC, announced in St. John’s today.
“The Provincial Government is pleased to provide funding and partner with non-profit community agencies and Community Advisory Boards to help address homelessness and provide support to our province’s most vulnerable citizens,” said Minister Davis. “These investments will help to expand supportive living projects and enhance street outreach and drop-in resource centres.”
The Supportive Living Program supports a ‘housing first’ approach, recognizing that housing stability is critical to enhancing wellness, inclusion and self-sufficiency. Provincial Government funding has significantly increased for this program, from $1.2 million in 2009 to $4.8 million in 2013.
“The Supportive Living Program funding will enable our organization to continue to serve adults with barriers, as well as those in institutional settings in our province who are challenged to find safe, secure housing,” said Denise Hillier, acting Executive Director, Stella’s Circle. “Daily, we see the impact that having a home of one’s own can have on an individual’s wellness and ability to respond to other issues in life. We are very appreciative of our partnership with Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.”
Stella’s Circle received approximately $500,000 in funding for the Brian Martin Housing Resource Centre to enhance counselling, advocacy and other support services to help people find and maintain secure housing. The centre has provided housing services to more than 800 individuals since opening in 2009.
A detailed list of 2013-14 Supportive Living Program recipients is provided in the backgrounder below.
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 creating healthier communities throughout the province.
Media contacts:
Carol Ann Carter
Director of Communications (Acting)
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-1758, 631-9505
carolanncarter@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Jennifer Babstock
Senior Development & Communications Officer
Stella’s Circle
709-738-0564
j.babstock@StellasCircle.ca
| Agency and Project Title(s) | Community | Approved Funding |
|---|---|---|
| NL Housing & Homelessness Network – Community Capacity Building | Provincial | $195,452.50 |
| NAVNET | Provincial | $131,372.00 |
| Choices for Youth – The Lilly and Transitional Housing Program | St. John’s | $802,389.00 |
| Pleasant Manor Corp. – Pleasant Manor | St. John’s | $113,900.00 |
| St. John’s Status of Women Council – Marguerite’s Place | St. John’s | $564,372.00 |
| Salvation Army – New Hope Community Centre Community Access Project and Wiseman Centre Community Service Worker | St. John’s | $83,270.00 |
| Stella’s Circle – Brian Martin Housing Resource Centre and Just for Us Women’s Centre | St. John’s | $591,283.00 |
| THRIVE Community Youth Network – Street Reach, Increasing Depth of Supports and Streets to Homes – Report in Action | St. John’s | $190,113.00 |
| Mariner Resource Opportunities Network – Housing Support Worker | Carbonear | $63,423.54 |
| Grace Sparkes House – Housing Support Worker | Burin Peninsula | $83,902.77 |
| Regional Action Committee on Housing – Housing Support Worker | Clarenville | $72,600.00 |
| Status of Women Central – Homes Helping Homes | Grand Falls-Windsor | $10,099.79 |
| Exploits Valley Community Coalition – Housing Support Worker” and S.O.S. Project | Grand Falls-Windsor | $86,714.00 |
| Community Mental Health Initiative (CHMI) – Community Outreach & Support Centre and in collaboration with Corner Brook Status of Women Council – Housing Support Worker | Corner Brook | $138,747.00 |
| Corner Brook Status of Women Council – Housing, Outreach, Understanding, Support & Empowerment | Corner Brook | $47,800.00 |
| Community Education Network – Furniture Shop and Housing Support Worker | Stephenville | $65,551.60 |
| Labrador Friendship Centre – Housing Support Worker | Happy Valley-Goose Bay | $70,406.00 |
| Mokami Status of Women Council – Supportive Living Apartments | Happy Valley-Goose Bay | $551,270.00 |
| Labrador West Housing & Homelessness Coalition Inc. – Housing Support Worker | Happy Valley-Goose Bay | $89,724.00 |
The Gathering Place will receive a total of $696,000 in Provincial Government funding to renovate their centre and expand services to their members and guests, the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Environment and Conservation, announced today.
A $356,000 investment from the Newfoundland and Labrador Green Fund allows The Gathering Place to incorporate energy efficient renovations saving 103 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year, 324,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) and $32,400 annually.
“Our government is proud to support The Gathering Place and their tremendous commitment to helping people overcome social barriers and poverty,” said Minister Hedderson. “The savings achieved by using energy efficient measures allows more resources to be put into programs and services.”
The Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation provided $300,000 through the Provincial Homelessness Fund.
“The Provincial Homelessness Fund has provided nearly $4 million in capital funding to 33 non-profit groups for the development of space to provide on-site outreach service for those at risk of homelessness,” said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. “We are thrilled to have The Gathering Place among those benefactors.”
A $25,000 Inclusion Grant from the Department of Advanced Education and Skills was also awarded to build an accessible entrance, washrooms and install an elevator. That is in addition to the $15,000 provided in 2011.
“Expanding the programs and services at The Gathering Place Community Centre will help people who deal with complex physical, mental and social issues,” said Elizabeth Davis, Board Co-Chair. “The Provincial Government is demonstrating its commitment to supporting society’s most vulnerable citizens.”
The Gathering Place is a non-profit organization providing services and respite to members of the community who need support from isolation and loneliness.
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Media contacts:
Deborah Thomas
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 728-8092
DeborahThomas@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Carol Ann Carter
Director of Communications (Acting)
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-1758, 631-9505
carolanncarter@gov.nl.ca
Elizabeth Davis
Board Chair of the Gathering Place
709-726-7320, 753-8150
edavis@sistersofmersynf.org