Major roofing renovations for Newfoundland Labrador Housing (Housing) properties located on Blackmarsh Road are close to completion. Eastern Siding Systems Ltd. was awarded the $125,000 roofing contract to do the work on 16 social housing properties houses on Blackmarsh Road.
“I’m delighted to see our social housing properties throughout the province being upgraded at the current pace,” said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister Responsible for Housing and Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. “We are meeting the rental needs of our communities by ensuring these renovations are undertaken, and in addition, these ongoing initiatives are generating significant economic spin offs for the residential construction and retail industry.”
“It’s wonderful to see these homes brought up to current standards, and made more weather secure and comfortable for tenants,” said Bob Ridgley, MHA, St. John’s North. “This project is another in a growing list of upgrades being completed by Housing, which have also tremendously enhanced the neighbourhood.”
Last year, the Provincial Government announced a significant $27.5 million funding increase, over five years, to maintain Housing’s aging and deteriorating houses. This funding more than doubles the resources available to modernize and improve the current provincial social housing homes, and enables Housing to provide increased comfort to the families living in these units.
These current roofing renovations are anticipated to be completed by the end of August 2008.
– 30 –
Media contacts:
Ronalda Walsh
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources,
Labour and Employment
709-729-0753, 699-7903
ronaldawalsh@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland Labrador Housing
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Tenants at Perrault Place in Happy Valley-Goose Bay are seeing significant renovation work being undertaken on their homes this year. In 2007, Newfoundland Labrador Housing (Housing) developed a plan to undertake a major revitalization and renewal project for Perrault Place and has invested $776,000 in exterior and interior renovations to 24 houses in the neighbourhood. The Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister Responsible for Housing and Human Resources, Labour and Employment, and the Honourable John Hickey, MHA, Lake Melville, made the announcement today.
“The upgrading and renewal of our social housing properties throughout Newfoundland and Labrador is a major priority,” said Minister Skinner. “This is an ongoing, long-term commitment that we are quite literally building on every day. Province-wide, these residences are on average 30 to 50 years old, and we have a responsibility to ensure our social housing stock is sustained over time, for those in our communities who are most in need.”
The work is being done through two major renovation contracts which Housing awarded earlier this spring. Newfound Roofing Limited of St. John’s was awarded a $443,000 contract to replace roofing, siding, doors and windows as well as update ventilation, electrical and smoke detector systems for 16 homes on Perrault Place.
Churchill Construction Limited of Happy Valley-Goose Bay was the successful proponent for the second contract which is for $233,000. This contract comprises exterior and interior renovations for eight additional dwellings on Perrault Place. These renovations include installation of new roofs, siding, doors, windows, and replacement of concrete walkways and stairs. Some interior refurbishments entail upgrading ventilation and exhaust systems and electrical work. All the renovations began mid-summer and are anticipated to be completed by September 2008.
“Improving the exterior of these properties is making a significant difference in their visual appearance,” said Minister Hickey. “Changes such as these can truly revitalize a neighbourhood, encourage people to have a renewed sense of pride in their homes and environment, and contribute to a healthier community spirit overall.”
An estimated $100,000 will also be spent on five of the 24 residences in Perrault Place, as well as two houses in North West River which will receive additional interior work and a tender will be called early this fall. The work is to include such items as new flooring, painting, installing updated smoke detectors.
Newfoundland Labrador Housing serves the Labrador area through its Happy Valley-Goose Bay Regional Office with 228 social housing residences which it owns and maintains. In total, these houses can accommodate approximately 570 people. The regional office covers Labrador City, Happy Valley-Goose Bay and coastal Labrador. These current renovations are part of a $27.5 million five-year investment made last year by the Provincial Government into Housing’s annual Modernization and Improvement Program, and $10 million committed in Budget 2008, over five years, for a new Interior Retrofit Program.
– 30 –
Media contacts:
Ronalda Walsh
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-0753, 699-7903
ronaldawalsh@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland Labrador Housing
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Exterior renovations on four Newfoundland Labrador Housing (Housing) residences in the Livingstone/Lime Street area of downtown St. John’s are now complete. G.S. Hunt of Bell Island was awarded the $118,000 contract to carry out the project. Work began on the project in the spring, and has recently concluded. The Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister Responsible for Housing and Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, and Tom Osborne, MHA, St. John’s South, made the announcement today.
“Major exterior property enhancements have been completed on social housing dwellings in the downtown area,” said Minister Skinner. “Housing is the province’s largest landlord, and keeping more than 5,500 properties up to standard over the years has indeed been a challenge. However, they have maintained a focus on providing safe and healthy housing for their tenants, and with our government’s continued financial commitment, I’m confident they will ensure our social housing portfolio is improved and maintained for future generations.”
The renovations included complete roofing and siding replacement, installation of new doors and windows, as well as upgraded ventilation systems such as bathroom exhaust fans, kitchen range hoods, as well as, wall and heater thermostats, which will help to ensure healthy air quality for tenants. These current upgrades and repairs are part of Housing’s annual Modernization and Improvement Program, which includes regular assessments and prioritization of its housing portfolio repair needs.
“It’s great to see this work being undertaken,” said Mr. Osborne. “The tenants are very pleased that the renovations included new siding, windows and doors. The improvements give the neighbourhood a refreshing new look and help build a positive community spirit.”
Housing has 2,783 dwellings in the St. John’s metro area alone, which houses a population of close to 7,000 people. During 2007-08 fiscal year, Housing spent $10 million to complete extensive exterior work on more than 500 dwellings throughout the province, and another $10 million will be spent in 2008-09. These renovations are the result of a significant $27.5-million funding increase, over five years, which the Provincial Government announced for its social housing properties last year. With these funds, the necessary renovations can be carried out through Housing’s annual Modernization and Improvement Program. This program is a long-term preventative maintenance plan whereby each year the modernization and improvement needs of all social housing buildings are assessed and prioritized.
– 30 –
Media contacts:
Ronalda Walsh
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-0753, 699-7903
ronaldawalsh@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland Labrador Housing
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Social housing residences at Forsey Place in Mount Pearl have been undergoing significant exterior renovations this summer. The work is being completed by G.S. Hunt of Bell Island, which was awarded a $277,000 contract by Newfoundland Labrador Housing (Housing).
“The renovations currently underway are an example of our government’s commitment to improving the lives of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians,” said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister Responsible for Housing and Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. “Since receiving additional funding from the Provincial Government, Housing has begun a revitalized Modernization and Improvement Program across the province, improving the life-span and value of the infrastructure.”
The upgrades and improvements are being made to 13 properties and include new roofing, siding, windows, doors, front and rear steps as well as removal and replacement of current privacy fencing. Residents will also see updated ventilation, plumbing and electrical systems for their homes.
“These ongoing upgrades and renovations of social housing throughout the province will help revitalize many neighbourhoods, and generate tremendous additional economic benefits to the housing industry overall,” said Steve Kent, MHA, Mount Pearl North. “I am very pleased that residents of Forsey Place will benefit from these latest improvements.”
This renovation project is expected to be completed by the end of September 2008. Newfoundland Labrador Housing is the province’s largest landlord, and is responsible for the management and maintenance of approximately 5,500 non-profit social housing dwellings province-wide. Over 2,800 of these rental houses are located in the metro St. John’s and Mount Pearl area alone, and serve approximately 7,000 people.
This past year, Housing has spent $10 million, and completed extensive exterior work on over 500 dwellings throughout the province. These renovations were a result of the significant $27.5 million funding increase, over five years, which the Provincial Government announced last year.
– 30 –
Media contacts:
Ronalda Walsh
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-0753, 699-7903
ronaldawalsh@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland Labrador Housing
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca