Newfoundland Labrador Housing (Housing) residences in the Bonavista area will be receiving both interior and exterior renovations over the next couple of months. R & D Construction Limited of Bonavista, was recently awarded a contract for $179,000 to modernize and upgrade eight Housing buildings. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister Responsible for Housing and Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, and Roger Fitzgerald, MHA, Bonavista South.
“Tenants throughout the province are now beginning to see the benefits of this government’s investment in our public housing,” said Minister Skinner. “We recognized the need to upgrade and improve these structures, and it’s been exciting to see these renovations and refurbishments underway. I’ve been out speaking to our tenants, and I know first-hand how much they appreciate the work that’s being done.”
Under this contract, six units will receive both interior and exterior upgrading, which includes items such as replacement of doors, windows, siding, roofing and flooring, an additional two units will have new flooring installed.
“This renewed commitment by government to the housing program will certainly improve and extend the life and function of these buildings,” said Mr. Fitzgerald. “The property investment also helps the economy, as revenues generated from the project provide a boost for local housing industry suppliers.”
Modernization and improvement work for this project began mid-summer and completion is anticipated by the end of January 2008. In past years, Housing’s annual modernization and improvement budget province-wide has been $4.5 million. However, the Provincial Government’s current investment will bring the annual expenditure up to approximately $10 million per year, for the next five years.
Housing owns and maintains approximately 5,700 non-profit housing accommodations throughout the province. The majority of these homes are 25 – 50 years old and house an estimated 14,000 individuals.
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Media contacts:
Ed Moriarity
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-4062, 728-9623
edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland Labrador Housing
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Over $162,000 in modernization and improvement work has been completed on Newfoundland Labrador Housing (Housing) residences in Chamberlains. The exterior renovation work was done by Coastal Building Products and Services Ltd. who was awarded the contract this past fall. The Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister Responsible for Housing and Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, and Terry French, MHA, Conception Bay South, made the announcement today.
“Refurbishment work on these units has been long over due, and I’m pleased this work has now been finished. Like many communities throughout our province, the people of Chamberlains are proud of their neighbourhoods. These recent renovations will enhance the community, as well as provide safe and affordable housing to our tenants,” said Minister Skinner.
The contract for this modernization and improvement work included installation of new windows, vinyl siding, door replacements, and new roofs for eight houses. In the 2007-08 Budget, the Provincial Government announced a significant $27.5 million funding increase, over five years, to maintain the Crown corporation’s aging and deteriorating houses. This funding will more than double the resources available to modernize and improve the current provincial social housing homes.
“Thanks to Housing, the residents of Chamberlains now have an upgraded and modernized neighbourhood, which will provide increased comfort to the families living in these units. With the renovations also comes enhanced street appearance and an improved living environment for the community,” said Mr. French.
Work on these dwellings began in August and has just been completed.
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Media contacts:
Ed Moriarity
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and
Employment
709-729-4062, 728-9623
edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland Labrador Housing
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nsmail.nlhc.nf.ca
Pursuing a post-secondary education is paying off for Newfoundland Labrador Housing (Housing) tenants in the province. Each year, Housing awards scholarships to high school graduates and adults pursuing a post-secondary education. The scholarships are awarded in the Avalon/East, Central and Western/Labrador regions to tenants’ children and adult tenants returning to school. Each scholarship is valued at $1,000. The winners were announced today by the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister Responsible for Housing and Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment.
Commenting on Housing’s Scholarship Program, Minister Skinner said, “I congratulate this year’s scholarship winners and wish them well in their academic pursuits. They obviously realize the importance of obtaining a good education and have demonstrated a clear commitment to reaching that goal. I’m sure their dedication and perseverance will serve them well, and I wish them all the best in their future endeavours.”
“Education plays a vital role in the future success of our province,” said the Honourable John Burke, Minister of Education. “This is why we have committed to a tuition freeze, introduced up-front, needs-based grants, and reduced the interest on student loans. These awards are yet another example of the Provincial Government’s support for students and youth throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. I offer my sincere congratulations to each of the winners, the leaders of tomorrow.”
Housing’s 2007 scholarship winners are:
Avalon/Eastern Region
Vickie Linegar is an adult scholarship winner. She is currently attending College of the North Atlantic in St. John’s.
Samantha Doyle is a youth scholarship winner. Samantha is attending Memorial University in St. John’s.
Leanna Marshall is a youth scholarship winner. She is also a student at Memorial University in St. John’s.
Central Region
Suzanne Williams is an adult scholarship winner. Suzanne is attending the Corona College in Grand Falls-Windsor.
Cassandra Hoskins is a youth scholarship winner and is currently attending Memorial University in St. John’s.
Western/Labrador Region
Nancy Marie Murphy is an adult scholarship winner. Nancy is enrolled at the Sir Wilfred Grenfell College in Corner Brook.
Daphne Hawkins is a youth scholarship winner and is attending the College of the North Atlantic, Bay St. George Campus.
Justin Richards is also a youth scholarship winner. He is currently attending the College of the North Atlantic, Bay St. George Campus.
Winners of the adult scholarships are selected based on an interview that assesses initiative, need and community experience.
Youth scholarships are awarded based on the results of the Department of Education’s scholarship score, which is derived from a student’s performance on public examinations.
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Media contacts:
Colleen French
Communications Officer
Newfoundland Labrador Housing
709-724-3003
cmfrench@nlhc.nl.ca
Ed Moriarity
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-4062, 728-9623
edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca
Jacquelyn Howard
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 689-2624
jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca
New life has been brought to one of Newfoundland Labrador Housing’s (Housing) oldest residential neighbourhoods. Buckmaster’s Circle in St. John’s Centre has recently undergone a remarkable transformation, as a result of exterior painting completed on 208 homes in the community. Eastern Sidings Systems Inc. was awarded a contract for $215,000 to undertake this project. The Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister Responsible for Housing, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, and MHA, St. John’s Centre, made the announcement today.
“Quite frankly, the positive change this project has brought to Buckmaster’s Circle is amazing,” said Minister Skinner. “We’ve received wonderful letters and comments from tenants, community partners, local schools and private homeowners in the area, all of whom are thrilled with the neighbourhood makeover. I’ve personally been told by many tenants they are proud to say they live in Buckmaster’s Circle, and even the children have a renewed sense of respect for their community.”
Built in the mid-60s, Buckmaster’s Circle is among some of the oldest public housing communities in the province. The 208 dwellings are home to approximately 625 individuals and, over the years, the community has offered safe, affordable housing to thousands of people.
In the 2007-08 Budget, the Provincial Government announced a significant $27.5 million funding increase, over five years, to maintain and improve the Crown corporation’s aging and deteriorating houses. This funding more than doubles the resources available to modernize and improve the province’s 5,700 social housing residences. Tenants in other areas can also look forward to continued upgrading and renovation of their homes through Housing’s Modernization and Improvement Program.
“I can hardly begin to tell you how thrilled everyone is with this transformation,” said Bonnie James, Executive Director, Buckmaster’s Circle Community Centre. “It has completely changed people’s attitudes. As you may be aware, we had a huge problem with graffiti throughout the neighbourhood and, I’m happy to say, we are now graffiti-free. People now have a greater sense of ownership for their houses, and they are not about to let anyone come in here and destroy them. I just want to express our tremendous and sincere thanks to Minister Skinner, CEO Len Simms and all the Housing staff for the work they have done and the assistance they continue to provide.”
This painting project began mid-summer and is anticipated to be completed by the end of December 2007.
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Media contacts:
Ed Moriarity
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour
and Employment
709-729-4062, 728-9623
edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland Labrador Housing
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca