The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador today celebrated the official opening of eight new affordable housing units for seniors and persons with disabilities in Springdale. The expansion of Vista Place is the result of a $240,000 equally cost-shared investment by the Federal and Provincial governments through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Agreement for Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-2014.
“Our government is proud to have contributed $120,000 in funding for this project,” said 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). “These new units will provide quality, affordable housing for independent seniors and persons with disabilities, and benefit the economic and social well-being of the entire community.”
“The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador recognizes the importance of building partnerships with the private and non-profit sector to develop more affordable housing options for people of low income,” said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. “Vista Place is offering comfortable and affordable homes for seniors, and for those who are most in need, and our government is pleased to contribute to this approach to community housing in Springdale.”
“My business partner, Clifford Roberts, and I are very grateful to both the Federal and Provincial Governments, which have provided the opportunity for Vista Place to grow,” said Dave Edison, Partner, Vista Place (2005) Ltd. “With this investment we can continue to meet the housing needs of seniors and persons with disabilities in Springdale and surrounding area.”
The Federal and Provincial governments contributed to the construction of six units while Vista Place (2005) Ltd. funded an additional two units.
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 at SocialHousingPlan-2009Report. 
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.
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, 709-699-5668
edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Katherine LeBlanc
Consultant, Communications & Marketing
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
902-426-6581
krleblan@cmhc.ca
Marian Ngo
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Dave Edison, President
Vista Place (2005) Ltd.
709-673-3922
daveedison@nf.aibn.com
The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador are jointly investing $577,000 towards the ongoing redevelopment of affordable housing in the Rabbittown neighbourhood of St. John’s. Over the coming months, 12 additional homes on Graves Street and Empire Avenue will undergo major exterior renovations.
The Honourable David Wells, Senator 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 and the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, made the announcement today.
The funding was made available through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Affordable Housing Program Agreement, an equally cost-shared federal and provincial investment to stimulate the development of affordable rental housing for low-to-moderate income households and rehabilitate existing rental affordable housing.
“Our Government is helping to make affordable housing available in Newfoundland and Labrador and across Canada for those who need it the most,” said Senator Wells. “These renovated homes in St. John’s will help families build a stronger future for themselves.”
“Newfoundland and Labrador Housing units throughout the province are undergoing significant redevelopment, ensuring that quality, affordable housing and community supports will be available for the future,” said Minister Davis. “We remain committed to improving the housing circumstances of those who are most in need, and to helping foster strong and healthy communities.”
Three social housing buildings, two on Empire Avenue and one on Graves Street, are undergoing major exterior renovations. Work includes the replacement of siding, roofing, windows, doors and steps. The anticipated completion date is June 2013.
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 approximately 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. 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 SocialHousingPlan-2009Report.
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.ca.
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Media contacts:
Ed Moriarity
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 709 -699-5668
edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Katherine LeBlanc
Consultant, Communications & Marketing
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
902-426-6581
krleblan@cmhc.ca
The Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, will be joined by the Honourable David Wells, Senator 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, to announce investments towards the redevelopment of social housing in the Empire Avenue-Graves Street neighbourhood of St. John’s.
The announcement will take place Monday, February 25, 9:00 a.m., at the Rabbittown Community Centre, 26 Graves Street, St. John’s.
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Media contact:
Ed Moriarity
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 699-5668
edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca
Four families in Hopedale are enjoying their first winter in new affordable housing as a result of a $942,000 Provincial Government investment through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.
“Supporting the construction of affordable housing in northern communities is part of the Provincial Government’s commitment to meeting the housing needs of people with low incomes,” said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. “As well as constructing new social housing, our government is partnering with private and non-profit groups in Labrador to find innovative community solutions for homelessness, and to provide affordable housing for people in vulnerable circumstances.”
The four, two-bedroom units were completed in December.
“These units are an example of how our government is committed to providing affordable housing options for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians,” said the Honourable Nick McGrath, Minister of Service NL and Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs. “This project directly supports the Northern Strategic Plan, and the goals of developing programs and services that meet the needs of Labrador communities.”
This is the second recent investment in new social housing construction in coastal Labrador. In 2012, the Provincial Government completed four three-bedroom homes in Nain with an investment of $945,000.
“Our government is committed to policies and initiatives that support Aboriginal people and communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador,” said the Honourable Felix Collins, Minister for Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs. “This investment in affordable housing in Hopedale is further proof of that commitment and I am pleased these four new two-bedroom housing units are complete and four families have made them their homes.”
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:
Ed Moriarity
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 699-5668
edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Manager, Communications
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing
Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Roger Scaplen
Director of Communications
Intergovernmental and Aboriginal
Affairs
Labrador Affairs Office
709-729-1674, 697-5267
rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca