Three Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) adult tenants have been awarded scholarships to financially assist them in continuing their post-secondary education. Each year, NLHC provides scholarships valued at $1,000 to adult tenants in the Avalon/Eastern, Central and Western/Labrador regions of the province. The Honourable Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and minister responsible for NLHC, today announced the recipients of the 2006 Adult Scholarship Program.
“As an adult, making the decision to return to school takes courage and dedication,” said Minister Shelley. “I applaud the commitment shown by these three scholarship recipients in pursuing their academic goals and wish them every success in their respective program of study.”
NLHC’s adult scholarship recipients for 2006 are:
Denise Bradley – Avalon/Eastern Region. Denise is currently enrolled in the community recreation and leadership program at the College of the North Atlantic in St. John’s.
Elaine Ryan – Central Region. Elaine is pursuing a bachelor of arts degree at Memorial University in St. John’s.
Swarit Garg – Western/Labrador Region. Swarit is taking the business administration program at the College of the North Atlantic in Stephenville.
Recipients of the NLHC adult scholarships are selected through interviews that assess initiative, need and community experience.
-30-
Media contacts:
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Corporate Communications
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nsmail.nlhc.nf.ca
Ed Moriarity
Director of Communications
Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-4062, 709-728-9623
edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca
The Buckmaster’s Circle community now has a spacious new lot to help relieve pressure on area parking. The Honourable Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and minister responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), and Shawn Skinner, MHA, St. John’s Centre, announced today that Pyramid Construction has just completed a $122,000 contract which saw the development of the new 50 vehicle parking lot in the Buckmaster’s Circle area of St. John’s Centre.
“Sufficient parking space continues to be a challenge for higher density neighbourhoods,” said Minister Shelley. “I am pleased to note that this $122,000 investment by NLHC to create a new parking lot will help alleviate parking congestion for residents in the Buckmaster’s Circle community.”
“This is a wonderful and much-needed development for the community,” said Mr. Skinner. “When this neighbourhood was originally built back in the 1960s vehicle parking wasn’t as big an issue, but it has grown over the years, and obviously more people use vehicles now more than ever before, so this new parking lot will be greatly appreciated.”
The 19,000 square foot parking lot will be available for the use of area residents. Construction work for the lot included leveling and grading the property, installing concrete walkways, curbs, gutters and a retaining wall, as well as paving and outlining the parking areas. All work for this project, which began in early November, has now been completed.
-30-
Media contacts:
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland and Labrador
Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nsmail.nlhc.nf.ca
Ed Moriarity
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-4062, 728-9623
edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca
Today marked the official opening of the new Rawlins Cross Development. Built at a cost of over $1.6 million, the Rawlins Cross Development, formerly known as the W. J. Murphy premises, offers a unique combination of six supportive housing units along with employment and other supports to a population that faces significant housing barriers in the community.
The official opening was announced today by Norman Doyle, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. Representing the Provincial Government was the Honourable Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, and minister responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. Also participating in this announcement were Mayor Andy Wells of the City of St. John’s and Jocelyn Greene, Executive Director of Stella Burry Community Services.
“Canada’s new government is proud of its investment in the Rawlins Cross Development – over $1.2 million – and what it will do to help our region’s most vulnerable citizens,” said Mr. Doyle. “This investment and other similar investments across the country are a testament to the importance this government places on helping homeless persons and those at risk of becoming homeless.”
Minister Shelley commented on the necessity of safe and affordable housing for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. “We are quite proud to be a part of an innovative project that will provide people the housing support and opportunity they may need to get them back on their feet. Safe secure housing is such a basic aspect of life and yet so crucial to achieving self-sufficiency and independence. I’m certain this development will prove to be invaluable to many individuals in our community.”
The Government of Canada contributed capital funding of $1,203,483 for the development of Rawlins Cross through the National Homelessness Initiative’s Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative. Additional funding of $300,000 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 Program Agreement. The project also received $140,000 under the federal-provincial cost-shared Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program. In-kind contributions were provided to the project by the City of St. John’s. While the project was in the planning stages, CMHC provided an interest-free proposal development loan of $20,000.
“This project is a model for our city and province. It’s organizations like Stella Burry Community Services who are reaching out to client groups throughout the city, meeting supportive housing needs in the community. I want to congratulate everyone associated with this undertaking,” said Mayor Wells.
“This is an exciting day for Stella Burry Community Services. We are thrilled to be opening Phase I of our Rawlins Cross Re-Development. Phase II will commence in the spring of 2007. Together, these buildings will be the hub of Stella’s circle of programs and will allow us to improve and expand the range of services we provide to people in need in this community,” said Jocelyn Greene.
“Our development at the former Murphy Premises not only provides six apartments, it will also be the site of our new venture into social enterprise with the development of a fully-professional kitchen and 40-seat café,” continued Ms. Greene. “The café will allow us to provide a meal delivery program for participants, while it also provides experience to trainees in the food services and retail sectors where there are so many entry-level employment opportunities. Next fall, it will open to the public as a new deli-café for the community. So, the Rawlins Cross development increases our capacity to serve our people in a number of important ways.”
Stella Burry Community Services is an incorporated body of the United Church of Canada, and provides a range of housing, employment and education-related support services to vulnerable populations in the City of St. John’s. It also provides transitional and long-term housing and shelter solutions through Carew Lodge, the Naomi Centre, Emmanuel House and the Rawlins Cross Development.
-30-
Media contacts:
Lorne Lambert
Regional Manager
Communications
Service Canada
709-772-5346
Dawn Ring
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
709-772-5973
Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
Jocelyn Greene
Executive Director
Stella Burry Community Services
709-738-5909