Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and minister responsible for housing, welcomes 140 delegates to the 21st annual Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) Tenant Conference.
“Twenty-one years of continued volunteerism is truly something to celebrate. As minister responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, it is my pleasure to acknowledge the many NLHC tenants who take the time to make a difference each day for people in our communities,” said Minister Shelley.
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation representatives and tenants from the corporation’s non-profit housing community will gather September 29 and 30 at the Albatross Hotel in Gander. Conference registration begins today at 6:30 p.m.
On behalf of the minister, Harry Harding, Parliamentary Secretary and MHA for Bonavista North, will bring opening greetings to delegates.
The conference includes delegates representing 31 tenant associations from across the province. They are being joined by the executive directors and board representatives from seven community housing centres. As well, corporation staff and the NLHC board are active participants at this year’s event. While in Gander, the Board of Directors for NLHC is taking the opportunity to hold the organization’s 189th meeting of the board.
Len Simms, NLHC’s chairman and chief executive officer said, “As an organization, we are very fortunate in having so many volunteers committed to helping one another and we look forward to their participation in the conference and to celebrating their accomplishments.”
Several guest speakers will attend the conference and facilitate workshops for participants. Topics for this year’s sessions include Bullying, with presentations by Doug Scott, Community Services Division, Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, and Lorraine Hearn, Violence Prevention Initiative, Grand Falls-Windsor. As well, motivational speaker, Tom Brophy will offer a session on Self Esteem.
Of note, the Crosbie/Portia Tenant Association is marking an important milestone this year. The group is being honoured at the conference with a special award of recognition on the occasion of their 10th anniversary.
For further information, please contact:
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Corporate Communications
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
(709) 724-3055
E-mail: releases@nlhc.nf.ca
Today marked the official opening of the new Tommy Sexton Centre. Built at a cost of over $1.4 million, the Tommy Sexton Centre will provide emergency shelter services, transitional and supportive housing, and supports to people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Capital funding for the centre is being made available to the sponsors of the Tommy Sexton Centre, the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador, through the Government of Canada’s National Homelessness Initiative ($832,500). Additional funding was provided through the collaborative efforts of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Affordable Housing Agreement ($450,000) and additional provincial funding of $144,000 from NLHC. In-kind contributions were also provided to the project by the City of St. John’s and by the provincial department of Transportation and Works, who donated the land for the project.
In addition, yearly operating funding will be provided to the centre through the provincial departments of Health and Community Services ($50,000) and Human Resources, Labour and Employment ($70,000).
The centre was officially opened today by Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services representing the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador; and Bill Downer, executive director of the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador. Deputy Mayor, Dennis O’Keefe, City of St. John’s, shared in the opening on behalf of the city. Sara Sexton, mother of the late actor/musician Tommy Sexton, after whom the centre is named, along with Robyn Pardy, an individual living with HIV/AIDS and long-time community activist, also participated in the ceremony today.
Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, was unable to attend the ceremony today but sent along his best wishes on this important addition to the community. “It is very satisfying to see when people come together to undertake worthwhile projects like the Tommy Sexton Centre,” said Minister Hearn. “Canada’s new government is pleased to support programs and services that directly help people, especially those who seek shelter and support as a result of very challenging circumstances. This is the culmination of a lot of hard work by many individuals, and I wish the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador well in its important work.”
“This centre is a true example of what we can accomplish when all levels of government and community come together as partners to address the diverse affordable housing needs of our province. Through my department’s ongoing support of the Tommy Sexton Centre, the services provided to persons directly affected with HIV and AIDS will be enhanced and coordinated, which will make a meaningful difference for these individuals,” said Minister Osborne.
Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Minister responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, said: “We are very proud to be part of a ground-breaking project that will provide assistance to individuals and families at a time in their lives when they are most in need. For those living with HIV/AIDS, it is so important to be in an environment with family, friends and professionals who can be on hand to provide emotional and medical support, and who understand the challenges they face. All these factors contribute greatly to maintaining quality of health, and I know this facility will be an invaluable asset to our community.”
John Hickey, Minister of Transportation and Works, added: “Our department is pleased to be a part of this project and a partnership that is focused on finding solutions to community housing needs. It’s a dream come true for many, and will provide much comfort and support for individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS, in our province.”
“This project is a very important one for our city and province. It’s another example of people meeting a need in the community. I commend everyone associated with this undertaking,” said Deputy Mayor O’Keefe.
“This is an important day for the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Tommy Sexton Centre, will provide a shelter facility with appropriate supports to people living with HIV/AIDS in Newfoundland and Labrador. It’s a real need that will now be addressed,” said Bill Downer.
Robyn Pardy said, “On behalf of people living with HIV/AIDS across the province, I would like to congratulate the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador on the successful and important development of the Tommy Sexton Centre. Safe and affordable housing can have such a huge impact on an individual’s health. This project will provide much needed and important housing services to an underserved population.”
Sara Sexton, whose son Tommy died of AIDS, said, “I have hoped for and dreamed of this day for many years, and I am so pleased to share in the official opening of the Tommy Sexton Centre. I know Tommy would be very proud and honoured to have his name attached to this new centre. It’s a beautiful setting and on behalf of my family, I want to thank everyone who played a role making this wonderful project and ceremony a reality.”
The funding from the National Homelessness Initiative’s Regional Homelessness Fund (RHF) and Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI), and CMHC and NLHC in partnership with the province, is specifically being used to develop four self-contained shelter units, and six self-contained accessible and furnished supportive housing units. The centre will be owned and operated by the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador, with operating support from the provincial government departments of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Health and Community Services.
The AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador is a consumer-focused, non-profit organization that provides supportive programs and services aimed at preventing HIV/AIDS and supporting persons living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. The committee works on a collaborative basis with partners, interested groups and stakeholders to achieve its goals. The Tommy Sexton Centre is named after actor and musician Tommy Sexton, who advocated for those living with HIV/AIDS and who succumbed to his illness on December 13, 1993.
For further information, please contact:
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Corporate Communications
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
(709) 724-3055
E-mail: releases@nlhc.nf.ca
Lorne Lambert
Regional Manager, Communications
Service Canada
(709) 772-5346
Tansy Mundon
Health and Community Services
(709) 729-1377
Bill Downer
AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador
(709) 579-8656
Dawn Ring
CMHC
(709) 772-5973
Dave Salter
Transportation and Works
(709) 729-3015
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) will spend approximately $300,000 for modernization and improvement of two public housing buildings on Eric Street. Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), and Tom Osborne, MHA for St. John’s South, made the announcement today.
“We recognize that a lack of investment over time has led to the poor physical condition of our property base and government has to make considerable and long-term strategic investments that significantly improve and extend the life and function of these properties in order to provide an affordable housing program for our clients,’ said Minister Shelley.
Refurbishments and repairs are being completed on one 10-unit building and one eight-unit building for a total of 18 units that will have window replacement, as well as installation of exterior doors and vinyl siding.
“In addition to this work being an improvement for tenants, it is also an excellent investment for the local economy,” commented Minister Osborne. “The revenues generated from the project will also assist local housing industry suppliers, so everyone wins.”
The upgrading began mid-summer and will be completed by the end of November 2006. The repairs are being completed by NLHC’s own maintenance work forces from the Avalon Regional Office. This work is part of NLHC’s long-term preventative maintenance plan whereby each year the condition of all non-profit housing property is assessed, and maintenance and modernization needs are determined.
“It is vital that a pro-active and planned approach to maintenance remain the top priority of NLHC in order to prevent any further and unnecessary deterioration of our overall housing base,” said Minister Shelley. “Modernization work such as this is long over due and overall improvements to the integrity of the housing program can only be accomplished by a focused and renewed commitment to both property enhancement and client service.”
For further information, please contact:
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Corporate Communications
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
(709) 724-3055
E-mail: releases@nlhc.nf.ca
Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and minister responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), and Sheila Osborne, MHA for St. John’s West, today announced funding of $319,000 for the continuation of upgrading and renovation work on NLHC-owned units in St. John’s West.
The funds budgeted for this year are being used to complete exterior renovations on eight semi-detached buildings and one seven-unit building for a total of 23 units on Anspatch Street. The work includes the installation of new windows and doors and siding replacement, as well as roofing.
“I’m pleased to announce this funding for continued improvements to properties on Anspatch Street. This is a substantial investment and demonstrates NLHC’s commitment to preserve existing social housing, and will help enhance the community overall,” said Minister Shelley.
“As MHA for St. John’s West, I am delighted to see this work being completed,” said Sheila Osborne. “I know the area residents are very happy with the renovations to their homes.”
The installation of doors, windows and siding is in addition to $84,000 in roofing work that was completed on seven of these units earlier this summer by CMH Construction. Current renovations should be completed by November 30, 2006.
For further information, please contact:
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Corporate Communications
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
(709) 724-3055
E-mail: releases@nlhc.nf.ca