Members of the seniors community and Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) today celebrated the official opening of 12 new affordable seniors apartments in St. John’s, through an investment of $2.3 million by the Provincial Government.
“Everyone deserves the dignity of a safe and affordable place to call home. An investment of $2.3 million shows this government’s firm commitment to provide affordable and accessible housing, and ensure social housing properties meet the future needs of people on low incomes. This latest addition provides Newfoundland and Labrador Housing with nine senior complexes in the City of St. John’s.”– The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.
The 12 apartments include two fully accessible units, and are located on the second level of the Charter Avenue building in Pleasantville, which is a smoke-free apartment complex. Eleven of the apartments are now full, with officials seeking applicants for the second fully-accessible unit.
In addition to NLHC’s own developments, a key objective for the Provincial Government is to stimulate the development of affordable rental housing by the private, public and non-profit sectors under the Investment in Affordable Housing Agreements. 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 www.nlhc.nl.ca/SocialHsingPlan/report.pdf.
QUICK FACTS
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Media contacts:
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
|Department of Advanced Education and Skills
709-729-0753, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca
Jenny Bowring
Communications Manager
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 Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills:
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to update my Honourable colleagues on the work of the Supportive Housing Action Team. This group was established to help address short-and long-term housing needs for displaced residents of Newman’s boarding home in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. It is chaired by Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.
I wish to express sincere thanks to all community groups, government agencies and departments and the Nunatsiavut Government who came together so quickly and responded to residents’ urgent needs, immediately providing shelter and necessary supports. Following the short-term response, the community partners have also expressed their appreciation of our approach in focusing on long-term solutions, and we cannot give them enough credit for stepping up in the way they have to help find housing for those individuals who were displaced.
Today the majority of tenants are in public or non-profit rental housing or with family and friends, receiving supports and assistance as necessary, while longer-term solutions are sought.
We recognize this is a complex problem and finding longer-term solutions requires a combined effort across multiple organizations and community groups. The Supportive Housing Action Team includes senior officials from across a number of Provincial Government departments – Advanced Education and Skills, Health and Community Services, Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, as well as Labrador Grenfell Health and representation from the Nunatsiavut Government.
Mr. Speaker, the team has been meeting weekly and is fully engaged and working with Melville Native Housing, the Salvation Army, the Labrador Friendship Centre, the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and others in the community to ensure long-term housing solutions are developed.
As we consider options and work towards solutions, we are grateful to everyone involved for the time and effort they have contributed. The collective response was truly outstanding and is a testament to what can be accomplished when we all work together.
Thank you.
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Members of the seniors community joined the Honourable Kevin O’Brien and NLHC staff today to celebrate the official opening of 12 new affordable seniors apartments in St. John’s, through an investment of $2.3 million by the Provincial Government. The apartments include two fully accessible units and are located on the second level of the smoke-free Charter Avenue building in Pleasantville. Following his remarks Minister O’Brien toured the new home of Joseph and Randilyn Luedee, tenants of one of the accessible units.
The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), will attend the official opening of 12 affordable seniors apartments tomorrow (Wednesday, May 21). The opening will take place at 77 Charter Avenue, Pleasantville in St. John’s at 11:30 a.m.
Minister O’Brien will be joined by Len Simms, CEO of NLHC, and Ron Ellsworth, Deputy Mayor of St. John’s.
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Media contact:
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Advanced Education and Skills
709-729-0753, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca