The Iris Kirby House shelter for women received a boost from Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) at its annual fundraiser in St. John’s last night (Wednesday, September 26.) The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister Responsible for NLHC, presented the Iris Kirby House Foundation with a $25,000 donation toward the shelter’s planned expansion project.
“Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation is a proud partner of Iris Kirby House, and a proud supporter of the volunteers, partners, and staff who do such great work with the organization,” said Minister Hedderson. “Our government continues to build its relationship with Iris Kirby House through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, and with this contribution, we are investing in its long-term goal of expanding support to women in vulnerable circumstances.”
The Iris Kirby House Foundation aims to raise $400,000 in support of its Up & Out project to expand the women’s crisis shelter facility in St. John’s.
“Our government remains committed to preventing violence against women, children and all vulnerable populations in the province through our $12 million Violence Prevention Initiative,” said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and lead Minister for the Violence Prevention Initiative. “All women and children deserve to live in safe homes and communities without fear of violence. I commend the work of the staff and volunteers of the Iris Kirby House who play a vital role in assisting women and children as they move towards a life free of violence and abuse.”
Iris Kirby House was the province’s first shelter for women, and since 1981 has provided critical support, distress lines, public education and crisis intervention to women and their children. Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation has worked with the facility since 1990 when the housing authority first established a Victims of Family Violence Policy, which gave victims of violence first priority for housing.
“In moving forward to meet the demands of a growing society and the women and children who are presenting at our doors, this extension, known as our Up & Out project, is necessary,” said Gail Tobin, Executive Director of Iris Kirby House. “The strong partnerships we have developed with Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation and the province, and their support of the work we do with victims of domestic violence, have been very important to our success.”
The planned expansion will bring total emergency beds to 32 at the St. John’s site, for a total of 47 when combined with the sister shelter, O’Shaughnessy House, in Carbonear.
A Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador – Secure Foundations, released by the Provincial Government in August 2009, outlines a 10-year vision for social housing. It is aimed at improving the housing circumstances of low-income households and helping create healthier communities. Budget 2012: People and Prosperity allocated $25.9 million for social housing infrastructure, including $10.4 million for maintenance and $12 million for renovations and improvements.
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation is the province’s largest landlord with approximately 5,573 non-profit social housing dwellings province-wide.
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Media contacts:
Jason Card
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 699-0470
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Communications
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Michelle Hunt
Director of Communications
Department of Child, Youth and Family Services
709-729-5148, 725-1593
michellehunt@gov.nl.ca
Gail Tobin
Executive Director, Iris Kirby House
709-722-8272
gailtobin@iriskirbyhouse.nf.net
The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, will address the Iris Kirby House Foundation’s annual fundraiser, today (Wednesday, September 26). The event begins at 7:00 p.m. at Glendenning Golf Course, 120 Gabriel Road, St. John’s.
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Media contacts:
Jason Card
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 699-0470
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca
People who require support to live independently in the community now have access to 10 new affordable housing units built and operated by the Community Mental Health Initiative (CMHI) in Corner Brook. An official opening was held today to begin operations at the $1.6 million Summit Place supportive living apartment complex.
The Federal and Provincial Governments contributed equally to a $1 million investment through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Affordable Housing Program Agreement.
In addition, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NHLC) provided $350,000 through its Supportive Living Program and Provincial Homelessness Fund as well as $147,000 that will be provided annually through NLHC‘s Supportive Living Program to employ staff at the facility, including a mental health support worker, a housing support worker and a part-time maintenance worker. CMHI also received $331,573 through Human Resources and Skills Development Canada’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS).
The Honourable Peter Penashue, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador and MP for 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 Tom Hedderson, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, made the announcement today.
“Our government is proud to be investing in these new units here in Corner Brook,” said Minister Penashue. “Summit Place will provide access to safe, affordable housing for people with special needs and for them, a place to call home.”
“I am pleased with the level of investment the Provincial Government is making to provide supportive housing through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation,” said Minister Hedderson. “One of our main Social Housing Plan objectives is to develop partnerships throughout the province that provide a greater range of supportive living options for individuals with complex needs. I have every confidence that our partnership with the Community Mental Health Initiative and the development of Summit Place will help many people in need of safe affordable housing in Corner Brook.”
Located on Premier Drive in Corner Brook, Summit Place opened in July. Founded in 1994 and incorporated in 1996, the CMHI is a non-profit community-based organization comprised of representatives from professional agencies, community groups and health care consumers who work together to address mental health needs in the Corner Brook, Bay of Islands and Deer Lake areas.
“CMHI is thrilled to see Summit Place finally opened,” said Jade Mahoney, Co-ordinator for CMHI. “We have received such positive feedback from tenants, neighbours and the community-at-large. It’s important to note that Summit Place provides more than just housing to 10 individuals; we have staff on site who offer various programs, including mental health and housing support to the tenants as well as the broader community.”
A key objective for the Provincial Government is to stimulate the development of affordable rental housing by the private, public and non-profit sectors. A priority is placed on developing rental housing for persons with disabilities, seniors and people who require supports to live independently in the community. This work is in keeping with A Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador – Secure Foundations, released by the Provincial Government in August 2009, which outlines a long-term vision for social housing. It is aimed at improving the housing circumstances of people with low incomes and helping create healthier communities. A copy of the social housing plan is available at www.nlhc.nl.ca/SocialHsingPlan/report.pdf.
The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest more than $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of almost 605,000 households living in existing social housing. In Newfoundland and Labrador, this represents some 12,250 households. These investments are improving the quality of life for Canadians with low incomes and households living in existing social housing, including individuals who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants, and Aboriginal people.
The HPS is a unique community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness by providing direct support and funding to 61 designated communities across Canada. The HPS provides structures and supports that help people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness achieve self-sufficiency and full participation in society.
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.
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Media contacts:
Jason Card
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 699-0470
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing
Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Caroline Arsenault
Principal, Communications & Marketing
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
902-426-8127
cmarsena@cmhc.ca
Marian Ngo
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Jade Mahoney
Co-ordinator
Community Mental Health Initiative
(709) 634-4117
cmhi.iac@gmail.com
The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, along with the Honourable Tom Marshall, Minister of Finance and MHA for Humber East, will attend the official opening of Summit Place in Corner Brook, a new affordable housing development operated by the Community Mental Health Initiative. The event will take place Monday, September 24, at 2:00 p.m., Summit Place, 112 Premier Drive, Corner Brook.
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Media contact:
Jason Card
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 699-0470
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca