The Provincial Government continues to deliver on a commitment to renew social housing. Investments are being made to modernize and improve a number of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) properties in St. John’s.
Two contracts, valued at $306,000, have been awarded to G.S. Hunt Ltd. to complete renovations and upgrades to 18 affordable social housing units, including:
“Our government is supporting work to modernize and improve social housing to ensure it meets the needs of individuals and families,” said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. “These efficiency upgrades and renovations are helping address the demand for affordable family homes, and I look forward to seeing the work completed.”
Budget 2013: A Sound Plan, A Secure Future provides $10 million for NLHC’s Modernization and Improvement Program. Since 2003, the Provincial Government has invested approximately $105 million in the annual Modernization and Improvement Program to upgrade social housing properties, province-wide.
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.
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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
New ventilation systems will be installed in a group of 36 social housing units on Wigmore Court in St. John’s in order to further improve the energy efficiency of the homes. Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation has awarded a $123,400 contract to Eastern Siding Systems Ltd. to install heat recovery ventilation systems in the properties. This work is scheduled to be completed in June.
“This project will make these homes more environmentally friendly and cost effective for tenants,” said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. “These ventilation systems are being installed in renovated social housing units throughout the province to enhance air quality and improve circulation while reducing heat loss. Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation is helping to reduce energy costs while ensuring homes remain comfortable for families and individuals with low incomes.”
Building renovations such as this support the commitments in the Provincial Government’s action plans focused on climate change and energy efficiency, Charting Our Course: Climate Change Action Plan 2011 and Moving Forward: Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2011.
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.
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation is the province’s largest landlord, with 5,573 affordable rental units 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
The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Joan Shea, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills:
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today to highlight the achievements of an employee of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.
Shauna Sutton, a native of English Harbour West, is the first female carpenter ever hired by the corporation. What sets Ms. Sutton apart is not her gender, but the example she puts forward as a mentor to other young women wishing to pursue a career in the trades here in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Ms. Sutton’s record of achievement began while enrolled at the Carpenters Millwright College in Paradise in 2008, where she won the school’s Award of Excellence for education, leadership and safety skills. In 2009 she became the first female apprentice registered with the Office to Advance Women Apprentices, and the first to find employment with Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.
Recently, she joined other female tradespeople selected from across North America by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters to take part in a three-day female mentorship program in Las Vegas.
Ms. Sutton is a committed mentor, volunteering time to appear at high schools as a demonstrator for Skills Canada intermediate competitions, and visiting community centres to speak to female youth about her career path. She has also been blessed with terrific mentors in her own life, including family, co-workers and instructors.
Mr. Speaker, a carpenter of Ms. Sutton’s experience and skills could likely find employment abroad, however she has made a conscious choice to stay and contribute to the growth of our province through affordable housing construction and mentorship to young women pursuing careers in the trades.
Ms. Sutton is a shining example of the incredible time of opportunity for women in Newfoundland and Labrador – especially when it comes to opportunities in the skilled trades. In fact, Mr. Speaker, since 2009, the number of women enrolled in skilled trades in the province has grown by 33 per cent.
Through innovative programs, such as our Journeyperson Mentorship Program, we are increasing job opportunities in the skilled trades – particularly for under-represented groups, including women.
I invite my colleagues in this Honourable House to join me in congratulating Ms. Sutton for her contributions and to wish her all the best on her upcoming journeyperson exam.
Thank you.
The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation:
Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased to attend an announcement today regarding the expansion of the Choices for Youth Train for Trades program in St. John’s.
Since 2010, Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation has been a proud partner in this worthwhile program. Train for the Trades supports at-risk youth in our community through access to valuable on-the-job construction training and experience.
This national award-winning program will now be doubling its capacity to train and employ young people through a generous donation of $2.1 million from Hibernia Management and Development Company.
This partnership and support is an excellent example of the good work and important relationships being fostered between government, industry and community groups. This is big business giving back to the community in a big way.
Mr. Speaker, as a result of this new partnership, 20 youth will take part in the 44-week program this year. This will include two weeks of training through the Carpenters Millwright College followed by 42 weeks of on-the-job experience.
Participants will help construct six new Choices for Youth affordable housing units being built for youth with complex needs. This project is made possible with an investment of $750,000 from Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation through the Affordable Housing Program.
This year, participants in the Train for Trades program will help carry out modernization and improvement work on 10 Newfoundland and Labrador Housing rental units. This is part of a pilot project in partnership with the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 1860.
Mr. Speaker, the Choices for Youth Train for Trades program has been very successful with 80 per cent of participants going on to post-secondary education or employment.
I ask this Honourable House to join me in congratulating Choices for Youth and all their partners on the expansion of this innovative program, and to thank Hibernia Management and Development Company for making a key investment in supporting young people in the province.
I wish all participants, past and future, the best of luck in their future endeavours.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.