Newfoundland and Labrador’s first affordable rental-housing development, Brookside Estates, is being constructed in Stephenville.
The 14-unit building will provide seniors in the region with access to much-needed affordable rental housing in the private market. Funding for this project is being provided under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Affordable Housing Agreement.
Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing, and Joan Burke, provincial Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), made the announcement today.
“Brookside Estates demonstrates the Government of Canada’s partnership with the province, and our commitment to provide more affordable housing in Newfoundland and Labrador,” Minister Fontana said. “We are pleased to be able to provide safe and affordable housing for seniors in Stephenville.”
“This project is an example of inter-governmental and private-sector community partners coming together to address the needs of people within our province,” said Minister Burke. “I am particularly pleased with the support and interest from the private sector to help increase the available rental housing stock throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.”
The approved housing development, located on New Mexico Drive in Stephenville, will receive forgivable loan funding of $210,000 from the Affordable Housing Program to offset construction costs. All of the units will remain affordable for a minimum of 10 years. The developer is CNB Holdings Limited in Stephenville.
The project, which involves the conversion of an existing one-storey building with an attached commercial property, will provide rental units for independent seniors, and two of the units will be fully accessible. Construction of the project has begun and is expected to be completed by March.
For further information contact:
Jenny Bowring
NLHC
(709) 724-3055
E-mail: releases@nlhc.nf.ca
Todd Selby
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
(902) 426-8127
Joan Burke, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Minister Responsible for Housing, will participate as a celebrity server at a “live-to-air” community pancake breakfast hosted by CBC Radio’s St. John’s Morning Show with Jeff Gilhooly, on National Toque Tuesday, February 8. Funds raised at the breakfast will go to Canada’s national homelessness charity, Raising the Roof, and the Community Food-Sharing Association. The breakfast will take place from 7:00 – 9:00 a.m. at the Gower Street United Church (Lecture Hall).
Each year since 1998, on Toque Tuesday, Raising the Roof volunteers work to raise funds for local agencies that reach out to homeless men, women and children. In St. John’s, proceeds from Raising the Roof toques will go to four local agencies that help the homeless:
* The AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador
* Choices for Youth
* Stella Burry Community Services
* St. John’s Native Friendship Centre
“A home is one of the most basic necessities of life; unfortunately, there are many who can’t enjoy that necessity. It is vital that the community and government work together to help make a difference,” said Minister Burke. “I encourage all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to take part in the Toque Tuesday campaign and be a part of the solution.”
For further information contact:
Jenny Bowring
NLHC
(709) 724-3055
E-mail: releases@nlhc.nf.ca
Jacquelyn Howard
Human Resources and Employment
(709) 729-4062, 689-2624