The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador are investing more than $1 million in equally cost-shared renovation and retrofit funding for 183 Newfoundland Labrador Housing social and community-based housing units in the Central region. This funding, which is part of the federal and provincial affordable housing investment announced in May 2009, is significantly extending the life of these homes.

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); and the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, announced the funding today.

“The Government of Canada is proud to have contributed to the renovation and retrofitting of 183 homes,” said Minister MacKay. “The renovations to the units are helping to provide quality, affordable housing for families and individuals in the central region, while also contributing to the economic and social well-being of communities throughout the province.”

“This work is part of a long-term comprehensive renovation and retrofit program which includes significant funding to help ensure that we have affordable social housing that lasts well into the future,” said Minister King. “Since April 2009, approximately 563 social or community-based housing properties have been renovated in the Central region, under this program.”

The funding was made available through Canada’s Economic Action Plan the Federal Government’s plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. Overall, the Economic Action Plan, includes $2 billion for the construction of new and the renovation of existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in low-cost 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, cupboards, counters and fixtures such as tubs, sinks and showers.

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 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: SocialHousingPlanReport2011

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.

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Media contacts:

Bradley Power
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-0753, 699-5707
bradleypower@gov.nl.ca

Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland Labrador Housing
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca

Katherine LeBlanc
Communications and Marketing Consultant
CMHC
902-426-6581
krleblan@cmhc.ca

Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary, Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482