The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, announced today that a $548,000 contract has been awarded to Tech Construction Ltd. to convert two social housing duplexes in Corner Brook into two fully accessible homes to meet exceptional and extraordinary needs for two families who have children with disabilities.
“The need for suitable and affordable social housing is well recognized,” said Minister Hedderson. “Project by project we are making significant gains in renovating and improving our portfolio and this project in Corner Brook is another stop along the road to securing and maintaining a portfolio that will continue to meet special social housing needs throughout the province.”
The duplexes on Hendon Drive and on Green Garden Road will receive extensive interior and exterior renovations. Both homes will be designed with a fully accessible main level, including bathrooms, bedroom and living spaces. The kitchen areas will incorporate some accessible features according to the particular needs of each family. Interior work will include the replacement of walls, floors, ceilings, doors, stairs, kitchen cabinets, insulation, and electrical, ventilation, exhaust, plumbing and heating systems. The exteriors will receive new windows, doors, siding, accessible decks and entry ramps along with new driveways and landscaping. The homes will be equipped with new appliances such as fridges, counter-top stoves, wall ovens, and washers and dryers.
Funding for this project was provided under Housing Trust Funds. The anticipated completion date for these conversions is December 2010.
“I am especially pleased to see that the special needs of these two families are being addressed,” said the Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador and MHA for Humber West. “This is an example of the vision that our government outlined in our provincial social housing plan for Newfoundland and Labrador – Secure Foundations.”
Secure Foundations, released in August 2009, outlines a long-term vision for social housing aimed at improving the housing circumstances of low-income households and helping to create healthier communities. In Budget 2010: The Right Investments – For Our Children and Our Future, the Provincial Government is investing $27 million for housing infrastructure projects, affordable housing and increased maintenance funding. Newfoundland Labrador Housing is the province’s largest landlord with approximately 5,511 non-profit social housing dwellings province-wide.
– 30 –
Media contacts:
Roger Scaplen
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 697-5267
rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Communications
Newfoundland Labrador Housing
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Elizabeth Matthews
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca
Andrea Nolan
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
709-729-4304, 727-0991
andreanolan@gov.nl.ca
The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador today announced that $197,000 in renovation and retrofit work on 31 Newfoundland Labrador Housing units in the Burin and Stephenville regional areas is making a significant difference to these homes.
The funding was made available through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, which is a federal plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure. The Federal and Provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment of $58 million under the amended Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Affordable Housing Program Agreement.
The Government of Canada wants to improve the quality of existing social housing for low-income seniors, single-parent families, recent immigrants and Aboriginal households. Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $850 million under the Affordable Housing Initiative to provinces and territories for the renovation and retrofit of existing social housing.
The funding is being used for the replacement of exterior components such as roofing, siding, windows and doors, and interior components such as flooring, drywall, doors, kitchen and bathroom cupboards, counters and fixtures such as tubs, sinks and showers. The investment will significantly extend the life of these structures.
As part of Budget 2010: The Right Investments – For Our Children and Our Future, the Provincial Government is investing $27 million for housing infrastructure projects, affordable housing and increased maintenance funding over the coming fiscal year. This renovation and retrofit work is also in keeping with the goals of the Provincial Government’s Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador – Secure Foundations, which outlines a new long-term vision for social housing aimed at improving the housing circumstances of lower-income households and helping to create healthier communities. A copy of the social housing plan is available at SocialHousingPlan-2009Report.pdf.
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC); and the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, made the announcement today.
“In its second year, our government’s Economic Action Plan is stimulating the economy and creating jobs during the global recession here in Newfoundland and Labrador and across Canada,” said Minister MacKay. “Renovation projects like these are a good way to get the local economy moving and put construction workers and tradespeople to work quickly. Most importantly, they are giving a hand-up to those who need it most, by improving the quality of social housing.”
“We are very pleased with the 1,600 units on which we have completed renovation work during this past year alone,” said Minister Hedderson. “We are looking forward to seeing more progress during the remainder of this construction season and into 2011. This renovation and retrofit work in the Burin and West Coast regions of our province is increasing the life span of our existing housing portfolio and enabling us to move our housing agenda forward in line with the goals laid out in our provincial social housing plan.”
Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada’s commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless.
More information on this and other measures in Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Federal Government’s plan to stimulate the economy and protect those hit hardest by the global recession, can be found at: www.actionplan.gc.ca.
To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan.
-30-
Media contacts:
Roger Scaplen
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 697-5267
rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland Labrador Housing
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Katherine LeBlanc
Consultant, Communications and Marketing
709-772-5973
krleblan@cmhc.ca
Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
BACKGROUNDER
Newfoundland and Labrador – Renovation and Retrofit Projects Burin and Stephenville Regions
NLH = NL Housing (Public)
| Project Name | Community | Units | Total Federal/Provincial Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| NLH – Seaside Drive, Mckays, Three Rock Cove | Kippens, McKays, Three Rock Cove | 3 | $35,738 |
| NLH – Atlantic Crescent | Marystown | 6 | $99,225 |
| NLH – Hickman Place, Malcolm Boulevard, Outer Drive | Fortune | 22 | $61,688 |
| Total | 31 | $196,651 |
The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador today announced that over $762,000 in renovation and retrofit work on 34 Newfoundland Labrador Housing units in St. John’s is making a significant difference to these homes.
The funding was made available through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, which is a federal plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure. The Federal and Provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment of $58 million under the amended Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Affordable Housing Program Agreement.
The Government of Canada wants to improve the quality of existing social housing for low-income seniors, single-parent families, recent immigrants and Aboriginal households. Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $850 million under the Affordable Housing Initiative to provinces and territories for the renovation and retrofit of existing social housing.
The funding is being used for the replacement of exterior components such as roofing, siding, windows and doors, and interior components such as flooring, drywall, doors, kitchen and bathroom cupboards, counters and fixtures such as tubs, sinks and showers. The investment will significantly extend the life of these structures.
As part of Budget 2010: The Right Investments – For Our Children and Our Future, the Provincial Government is investing $27 million for housing infrastructure projects, affordable housing and increased maintenance funding over the coming fiscal year. This renovation and retrofit work is also in keeping with the goals of the Provincial Government’s Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador – Secure Foundations, which outlines a new long-term vision for social housing aimed at improving the housing circumstances of lower-income households and helping to create healthier communities. A copy of the social housing plan is available at SocialHousingPlan-2009Report.pdf.
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence,
on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC); and the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, made the announcement today.”Our government is committed to giving a hand-up to Canadians who need some help,” said Minister MacKay. “In these tough economic times, Canada’s Economic Action Plan is providing Canadians not only with safe, affordable housing, but also with the jobs and opportunities they need, so they can strengthen and contribute to our communities.”
“Our commitment to provide lower-income households with quality, safe and affordable housing is continuing,” said Minister Hedderson. “This renovation announcement is another example of how Newfoundland Labrador Housing has used its federal/provincial funding to make the most of upgrading our social housing portfolio throughout the province and to ensure that we have viable housing options for future generations.”
Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada’s commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless.
More information on this and other measures in Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Federal Government’s plan to stimulate the economy and protect those hit hardest by the global recession, can be found at: www.actionplan.gc.ca.
To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan.
– 30 –
Media contacts:
Roger Scaplen
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 697-5267
rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland Labrador Housing
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Katherine LeBlanc
Consultant, Communications and Marketing
709-772-5973
krleblan@cmhc.ca
Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary, Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
BACKGROUNDER
Newfoundland and Labrador – Renovation and Retrofit Projects Avalon Region
NLH = NL Housing (Public)
| Project Name | Community | Units | Total F/P Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| NLH – Chalker Place | St. John’s | 14 | $280,000 |
| NLH – Brophy Place, Hartery Crescent | St. John’s | 7 | $196,000 |
| NLH – Dorset Street, Farm Road, Boar Point Hill, Point Road, Main Road | St. John’s | 5 | $140,000 |
| NLH – Cabot Street | St. John’s | 1 | $11,498 |
| NLH – Flowers Hill, Gilbert Street, Gower Street | St. John’s | 3 | $22,838 |
| NLH – Empire Place | St. John’s | 4 | $112,000 |
| Total | 34 | $762,335 |
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, today announced that during the 2009-10 fiscal year, the Provincial Home Repair Program (PHRP) provided $282,000 in grants and repayable loans to assist low-income homeowners in the Labrador region to renovate their homes.
The PHRP is a long-standing housing program that assists low-income homeowners to undertake much needed repairs to their homes and provides seniors and persons with disabilities funding to make accessibility retrofits. The Federal and Provincial governments are contributing to an overall investment of $24.2 million, over two years, under the amended CMHC – Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Renovation Program Agreement, with the Provincial Government contributing $16 million and the Federal Government, $8.2 million.
“Repairing housing not only helps to build strong and healthy communities but most importantly, it improves the quality of life for residents of Newfoundland and Labrador and the rest of the country,” said Minister MacKay. “Our Government is committed to giving a hand-up to those in need by providing safe, affordable housing that meets their needs.”
“Every year we receive very positive feedback from homeowners throughout the province who benefit from the Provincial Home Repair Program,” said Minister Hedderson. “This program is an important part of the Williams Government’s long-term social plan to eliminate poverty in our province. Having a safe and quality home in which to live, and raise your family, is a significant tool in our fight to eliminate poverty.”
The types of repairs that can be untaken with a PHRP loan or grant include upgrades to heating, electrical or plumbing systems, and renovations and retrofits to deteriorated structures, foundations, windows, doors, roofing or siding. Applicants are addressed on “first-come, first-served” basis; however, priority is given to emergency repairs and persons with disabilities. Applicants must be homeowners with annual incomes of $32,500 or less.
A total of 67 PHRP grants and repayable loans were approved in 2009-2010 for applicants in the Labrador regional area. Throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, a total of 2,810 in grants and repayable loans were approved under PHRP in 2009-2010.
On average, PHRP applicants are approximately 61 years of age, live in rural Newfoundland and Labrador, have annual incomes of $16,000 – $17,000, and reside in homes that are approximately 40 years old.
A maximum grant of $5,000 is available to homeowners on the island, while homeowners in Labrador are eligible for a maximum grant of $6,500. Persons with accessibility needs on the island and in Labrador are eligible for a maximum grant of $7,500. Homeowners whose repairs exceed these levels may apply for a low-interest repayable loan of up to $10,000 [$13,000 in Labrador]. In Newfoundland and Labrador approximately 2,000 applicants are served under PHRP each year.
In 2008, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over five years to improve and build new affordable housing and to help the homeless. As part of this investment, the Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI) and renovation programs for low-income households were extended for two years. For Newfoundland and Labrador this represents $14 million in federal funding.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on this with an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion to build new and renovate existing social housing for low-income Canadians, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.
Renovation work completed under this program is also in keeping with the goals of the Provincial Government’s Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador – Secure Foundations, which outlines a new long-term vision for social housing aimed at improving the housing circumstances of lower-income households and helping to create healthier communities. A copy of the social housing plan is available at SocialHousingPlan-2009Report.pdf.
More information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Federal Government’s plan to stimulate the economy and protect those hit hardest by the global recession, can be found at: www.actionplan.gc.ca. To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan.
– 30 –
Media contacts:
Roger Scaplen
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 697-5267
rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland Labrador Housing
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary, Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Katherine LeBlanc
Consultant, Communications and Marketing
709-772-5973
krleblan@cmhc.ca