The Provincial Government is moving forward with its commitment to invest in the maintenance of Newfoundland Labrador Housing (Housing) dwellings across the province. As part of a longer-term modernization and improvement program, approximately $1.5 million has been allocated for modernization and interior upgrading for Alder Place and Gorse Court, located in Dunfield Park, Corner Brook. The Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador and MHA for Humber West, and the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland Labrador Housing, made the announcement today.
“Dunfield Park was among one of the earliest public housing properties built in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Premier Williams. “Today’s announcement marks one of the first significant investments of government funding in decades. It reflects our government’s commitment to invest in our province’s infrastructure, communities and people.”
“We are very excited to announce this project for the Corner Brook area,” said Minister Skinner. “We’ll soon begin to see some of the changes and improvements such as new siding, windows, and doors and other interior upgrades such as flooring, kitchens, and painting, that will make life more comfortable for the tenants.”
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 preventive maintenance plan whereby each year the modernization and improvement needs of all social housing buildings are assessed and prioritized.
Tenders for construction are expected to be called in September, and it is anticipated work will be completed by early 2009. Alder Place is an eight-unit row building, and Gorse Court is a 10-unit apartment building.
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Media contacts:
Elizabeth Matthews
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca
Roger Scaplen
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
709-729-4304, 727-0991
rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca
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
The Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland Labrador Housing, will announce funding for Newfoundland Labrador Housing units located in Dunfield Park, Corner Brook. The announcement will take place at the Dunfield Park Community Centre, Corner Brook, at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow (Friday, August 15).
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. The majority of these residencies are 25 – 50 years old and house an estimated 14,000 individuals.
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Media contacts:
Elizabeth Matthews
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca
Roger Scaplen
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
709-729-4304, 727-0991
rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca
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
The Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister Responsible for Housing and Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, recently attended an American national conference to discuss solutions to end homelessness. Fresh from the conference, held in Washington, DC, July 28-30, Minister Skinner shared his thoughts on the issue.
“We can work together to find solutions to end homelessness – the first step is to believe it can be done,” said Minister Skinner. “I firmly believe the best approach is to come together, to listen and learn from everyone who is in this struggle with us. There are strategies out there that work, and building partnerships and sharing what we know is how we’ll find the solution.”
The minister added: “Through the Poverty Reduction Strategy, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to building the necessary partnerships and investing in programs and services that will reduce, alleviate and prevent poverty.”
This past year alone, the Provincial Government has made increased investments of nearly $50 million in a series of programs and housing initiatives throughout the province. These initiatives, delivered through Newfoundland Labrador Housing, can ultimately help to prevent homelessness. These investments include a $25.5 million increase over the next five years in Housing’s Modernization and Improvement budget. The Provincial Government has also doubled the current provincial contribution to the Provincial Home Repair Program to $24 million over the next six years. In addition, since 2003, under the Affordable Housing Program, the province has committed over $24 million to 46 private and non-profit sector groups to create 484 homes for low-income households province-wide by 2010.
The conference, which is the largest and most comprehensive annual event of its kind in North America, was hosted by the National Alliance to End Homelessness. The alliance, a leading voice on the issue of homelessness in the United States, is a non-partisan, mission-driven organization that works collaboratively with the public, private and non-profit sectors to build capacity. This approach leads to stronger programs and policies that help communities achieve their goal of ending homelessness. Minister Skinner was invited to meet with Nan Roman, president of the alliance, to exchange strategies and approaches regarding homelessness.
Canada’s presence at this conference has been steadily growing in recent years, with delegates from the Canadian National Homelessness Secretariat as well as the provinces of British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador who attended this year’s conference.
Minister Skinner was accompanied by Newfoundland Labrador Housing’s Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Len Simms. There were also a number of other provincial representatives from community-based supportive housing providers in attendance, as well as advocates representing Stella Burry Corporation, Choices for Youth, and Homelessness Advisory Committees throughout the province.
The agenda was filled with a range of topics directly related to this province’s efforts to address housing and homelessness here at home. Topics included: Public and Private Partnerships in Housing Development; Ending Rural Homelessness; Building and Engaging Community; Developing Integrated Housing; Engaging the Private Sector; and Financing Housing Development.
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Media contacts:
Ronalda Walsh
Director of Communicationsan 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