The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador today joined the Melville Native Housing Association in celebrating the completion of renovations to 75 affordable social housing homes owned and managed by the association in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Contributions of $1.5 million were provided by both levels of government for a total investment of $3 million.
The funding was made available through Canada’s Economic Action Plan – the Federal Government’s plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. The federal and provincial governments have contributed equally to these renovations through an overall investment of $58 million under the amended 2009 Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Affordable Housing Program Agreement.
“Our government is committed to supporting communities across Canada and giving a hand-up to those in need,” said the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. “Through investments to organizations such as the Melville Native Housing Association, we are helping Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to renovate their homes while creating jobs locally.”
“The Provincial Government is a proud partner of the Melville Native Housing Association, and we appreciate the fabulous work they do to provide quality, affordable housing for people in Labrador,” said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. “Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation and its partners remain committed to improving the housing circumstances of people with low incomes, which helps create strong and healthy communities.”
Funding in the amount of $175,000 was also made available for this project through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation’s Modernization and Improvement Program. The combined investment of $3.17 million allowed for substantial renovation work to be completed by the Melville Native Housing Association, including the replacement of siding, doors, windows, and roofs for 75 units. The association is a volunteer, non-profit organization formed in 1985 to help address the housing needs of Aboriginal people residing in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
“This was a tremendously important project for our organization, because it gave us the opportunity to make necessary and substantial upgrades to all of our 75 homes,” said Matthew Pike, Chairperson, Melville Native Housing Association. “We firmly believe investments in long-term affordable rental housing provide people with opportunities for a better future, and we thank the Federal and Provincial Governments for their continued support.”
The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest approximately $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of almost 605,000 households living in existing social housing. In Newfoundland and Labrador, this represents some 12, 250 households. These investments are improving 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.
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 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 atwww.nlhc.nl.ca/documents/publications/ShpDocument2009.pdf.
To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca.
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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
Communications Manager
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing
Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Katherine LeBlanc
Communications,
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
902-426-6581
krleblan@cmhc.ca
Marian Ngo
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Matthew Pike, Chairperson
Melville Native Housing Association
709-896-9420
norlogics@gmail.com
Neighbours and friends gathered to celebrate the official re-opening of the Rabbittown Community Centre in St. John’s today. The Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) recently completed approximately $600,000 in major renovations and accessibility upgrades on the centre, which serves approximately 800 people in the Empire Avenue, Graves Street and Freshwater Road area.
“The Provincial Government is pleased to celebrate the much anticipated reopening of the newly renovated and revitalized Rabbittown Community Centre,” said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for NLHC. “For 26 years this centre has been providing support and opportunities for people of all ages to become more involved in community life and explore their potential. These renovations will enable this facility to be enjoyed for years to come.”
The renovation work completed by J & T Construction Ltd. includes a remodelled multi-purpose room; new windows, doors, siding and roof; enhanced life safety features; upgraded heating systems; and accessible washrooms. As well, an extension has been added for the main entrance, which features a new wider stairwell that will be equipped with a platform stair lift in the coming months to enhance accessibility to the basement and second floor.
“We’re thrilled to be back and looking forward to taking advantage of the amazing renovations – especially the new platform stair lift – to carry on the quality programs and services that can make a positive difference in people’s lives,” said Lilly Lush, Executive Director of the Rabbittown Community Centre. “On behalf of our board of directors, staff and volunteers, and the families who use the centre, we applaud Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation for seeing this project through to completion. Many thanks also to our good friends at the Parish of St. Augustine Church on Westerland Road from where we hosted many programs and special events during construction.”
Rabbittown Community Centre is one of eight community centres throughout the province that are supported by NLHC, along with 10 other neighbourhood centres. Since 1986, the multi-purpose facility and its staff and volunteers have provided recreational, health, educational, social, and career programs to the community. Programs include After School Drop-in, Youth Program, Homework Haven, Healthy Baby Club, Computer Program, Junior Youth Mentoring, Community Kitchen, Career Services, Wellness Programs and Public Health Nursing Clinic.
NLHC is providing substantial investments to upkeep its community centres. Froude Avenue Community Centre in St. John’s is in the midst of a $500,000 makeover, and last month the former Dunfield Park Community Centre in Corner Brook, renamed WestRock Community Centre, and celebrated its official reopening following an $889,000 refurbishment.
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
729-3015, 699-0470
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Communications
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Lilly Lush
Executive Director
Rabbittown Community Centre
709-739-8482
lilly@rabbittown.ca
The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador and the Robert’s Arm Interfaith Seniors Manor celebrated the official opening of four new two-bedroom supportive living units today. The non-profit seniors’ home which has been operating in Robert’s Arm, Notre Dame Bay for 25 years, has expanded for the second time to help individuals who require support to live independently in the community.
The latest expansion, which created four new two-bedroom units, was funded through an equally cost-shared $500,000 investment from the Federal and Provincial Governments through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Agreement for Investments in Affordable Housing 2011-2014. The funding is administered through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC).
“With investments in housing projects like these ones, our government is contributing to the economic growth of Newfoundland and Labrador and creating jobs,” said the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). “At the same time, we are ensuring that families and seniors living on low income and people with special needs can benefit from affordable and supportive housing.”
“This project is another success story that is moving the Provincial Government closer to achieving its long-term goal under the Provincial Social Housing Plan of providing quality affordable homes for those in need throughout our province,” said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister of Transportation and Works and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. “Having this facility enables people to get the support they need while remaining in their own community and maintain the support of family and friends.”
The Robert’s Arm Seniors Interfaith Manor previously received $1.3 million through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, which was also equally cost-shared by the Federal and Provincial Governments, enabling them to add 10 seniors’ units to their facility in 2010. Together with today’s announcement of another supportive living expansion, the manor’s total capacity is now 35 units.
“We are delighted with the great support we have received from the Federal and Provincial Governments to make this dream a reality,” said Lloyd Colbourne, Chair of Board of Directors of the Robert’s Arm Interfaith Seniors Manor. “We recognize the need in our area for supportive and affordable living accommodations where people with complex needs and senior citizens can live safely and comfortably in the community.”
A key objective for the Provincial Government is to stimulate the development of affordable rental housing by the private, public and non-profit sectors. A 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. It is aimed at improving the housing circumstances of people with low incomes and helping create healthier communities. A copy of the social housing plan is available http://nlhc.nl.ca/documents/publications/ShpDocument2009.pdf. 
The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest approximately $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of almost 605,000 households living in existing social housing. In Newfoundland and Labrador, this represents some 12,250 households. These investments are improving the quality of life for Canadians with low incomes 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.
To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca.
– 30 –
Media contacts:
Jason Card
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 699-0470
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing
Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Caroline Arsenault
Principal, Communications & Marketing
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
902-426-8127
cmarsena@cmhc.ca
Marian Ngo
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Lloyd Colbourne
Chair of the Board of Directors
Robert’s Arm Interfaith Seniors Manor
709-652-3165, 673-7228
Lloyd.colbourne@bellaliant.net
Today was an exciting day for two families in Paradise, as they joined Federal and Provincial Government partners for a construction site tour of their soon to be completed Habitat for Humanity homes. An investment of $170,000, equally cost-shared by the Federal and Provincial Governments through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Agreement for Investments in Affordable Housing 2011-2014, was provided for the two homes. The funding is administered through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC).
“Our government is dedicated to working in partnership with organizations like Habitat for Humanity to create safe, affordable housing because that in turns supports healthy, sustainable communities all across Canada,” said the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). “I am delighted that the investments in Paradise will make a real difference in the lives of two families, creating homes that they can proudly call their own.”
“I am pleased to see this important build in Paradise, which will make the dream of home ownership a reality for two families,” said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. “The Provincial Government values its partnership with Habitat for Humanity, a tremendous organization that has been helping families access affordable housing for years, and is proud to have played a role in making this project a reality.”
By the end of 2012, the Federal and Provincial Governments will have contributed almost $1.2 million in funding to Habitat for Humanity homes for people with low-to-moderate incomes. Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation has also contributed land and or labour toward 41 Habitat for Humanity builds throughout the province, since 1994.
“We have built many Habitat for Humanity homes through much hard work and the generous support of our partners, however the greatest reward for all comes on the day our partner families get to move in and begin their new lives as homeowners,” said Raelene Lee, Chair of the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity Newfoundland and Labrador. “We at Habitat for Humanity Newfoundland and Labrador are excited about the future for these families and are inspired by the commitment of all partners and volunteers who have been involved in this, and each new build we accomplish.”
A key objective for the Provincial Government is to stimulate the development of affordable rental housing by the private, public and non-profit sectors. A 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. It is aimed at improving the housing circumstances of people with low incomes and helping create healthier communities. A copy of the social housing plan is available at http://nlhc.nl.ca/documents/publications/ShpDocument2009.pdf.
The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest approximately $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of almost 605,000 households living in existing social housing. In Newfoundland and Labrador, this represents some 12,250 households. These investments are improving the quality of life for Canadians with low incomes 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.
To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca.
– 30 –
Media contacts:
Jason Card
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 699-0470
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Caroline Arsenault
Principal, Communications & Marketing
CMHC
902-426-8127
cmarsena@cmhc.ca
Raelene Lee,
Chair of the Board of Directors
Habitat for Humanity Newfoundland and Labrador
709-570-7322
rlee@ottenheimerbaker.com