Single people and smaller families are benefitting from new social housing options that better meet their needs. Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) is undertaking another reconfiguration project that redesigns an existing three-bedroom social housing unit in Buckmaster’s Circle, St. John’s into a two-bedroom home and a single-bedroom apartment. Eastern Siding Systems Ltd. was awarded a $177,000 contract to complete this work.
“Reconfigured housing is a smart and innovative approach that provides new affordable housing options in response to the changing needs of single adults and smaller families,” said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. “This project demonstrates that our housing portfolio can successfully adapt existing larger units to create additional homes within the same original space.”
With an investment of $1 million in 2010, the Provincial Government began developing options to address demographic changes impacting the demand for social housing. The first reconfiguration project on Wheeler’s Road in Corner Brook saw the remodelling of two adjoining town houses to create two single-bedroom apartments and one two-bedroom fully accessible home. Last year, two three-bedroom duplexes on Mundy Pond Road in St. John’s were reconfigured into four one-bedroom apartments. The work on the Buckmaster Circle project began in November 2012. It is anticipated to be completed this spring.
Secure Foundations, released by the Provincial Government in August 2009, advances 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:
Ed Moriarity
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 699-5668
edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador today joined the Melville Native Housing Association in celebrating the completion of renovations to 75 affordable social housing homes owned and managed by the association in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Contributions of $1.5 million were provided by both levels of government for a total investment of $3 million.
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. The federal and provincial governments have contributed equally to these renovations through an overall investment of $58 million under the amended 2009 Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Affordable Housing Program Agreement.
“Our government is committed to supporting communities across Canada and giving a hand-up to those in need,” said the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. “Through investments to organizations such as the Melville Native Housing Association, we are helping Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to renovate their homes while creating jobs locally.”
“The Provincial Government is a proud partner of the Melville Native Housing Association, and we appreciate the fabulous work they do to provide quality, affordable housing for people in Labrador,” said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. “Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation and its partners remain committed to improving the housing circumstances of people with low incomes, which helps create strong and healthy communities.”
Funding in the amount of $175,000 was also made available for this project through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation’s Modernization and Improvement Program. The combined investment of $3.17 million allowed for substantial renovation work to be completed by the Melville Native Housing Association, including the replacement of siding, doors, windows, and roofs for 75 units. The association is a volunteer, non-profit organization formed in 1985 to help address the housing needs of Aboriginal people residing in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
“This was a tremendously important project for our organization, because it gave us the opportunity to make necessary and substantial upgrades to all of our 75 homes,” said Matthew Pike, Chairperson, Melville Native Housing Association. “We firmly believe investments in long-term affordable rental housing provide people with opportunities for a better future, and we thank the Federal and Provincial Governments for their continued support.”
The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest approximately $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 low-income Canadians 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.
A key objective for the Provincial Government is to stimulate the development of affordable rental housing by the private, public, and non-profit sectors. 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. A copy of the social housing plan is available atwww.nlhc.nl.ca/documents/publications/ShpDocument2009.pdf.
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-schl.gc.ca.
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Media contacts:
Ed Moriarity
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 699-5668
edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing
Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Katherine LeBlanc
Communications,
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
902-426-6581
krleblan@cmhc.ca
Marian Ngo
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Matthew Pike, Chairperson
Melville Native Housing Association
709-896-9420
norlogics@gmail.com
Melville Native Housing Association in Happy Valley-Goose Bay celebrated the completion of over $3 million in renovations to 75 affordable social housing homes on January 18. The Federal and Provincial Governments each investment $1.5 million and NLHC invested an additional $175,000 from its Modernization & Improvement Program. On hand for the celebrations were, from left: Glenn Furlong, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation; Gary Mitchell, Vice-President, Melville Native Housing Association; Keith Russell, MHA for Lake Melville; Shaun MacLean, Secretary with Melville Housing; tenant Evelyn Rose; the Hon. Nick McGrath, Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs, who represented the Hon. Paul Davis at the event; Matthew Pike, Chairperson of Melville Housing; and Wanda Lyall, the organization’s manager.
Twelve Newfoundland and Labrador Housing tenants attending post-secondary school have been awarded $1,000 scholarships. The scholarships are helping to meet the Provincial Government’s commitment to create healthier communities as outlined in A Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador – Secure Foundations.
“The Provincial Government conducts itself on the principle that education is a vital element in helping people improve their social and economic well-being,” said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing. “This assistance will help students meet their financial obligations, as they continue to invest in their education, and their future.”
The scholarships are awarded annually to both tenants and their children. Since 1987, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation has awarded 228 scholarships to students throughout the province.
“I extend my sincere congratulations to each scholarship winner, and all the applicants, and wish them well in their future studies,” said Minister Davis.
The 2012 youth scholarship winners are:
The 2012 Adult Scholarship winners are:
Youth scholarships are awarded based on the results of the Department of Education’s scholarship score, which is derived from the student’s performance on public examinations.
Winners of the adult scholarships are selected based on reviews that assess initiative, need and community experience.
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Media contacts:
Ed Moriarity
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 699-5668
edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Communications
Newfoundland Labrador Housing
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca