The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and the Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, today announced more people can use the Home Energy Savings Program to burn less oil in their homes, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions while also lowering their heating bills. The household income limit has been raised from $32,500 to $52,500.
Delivered by the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, the Home Energy Savings Program – Oil Heat allows eligible homeowners of single, row and semi-detached housing who heat their homes with oil, to receive non-repayable grants of up to $5,000 to make energy efficient upgrades. Typically, upgrades such as insulating the basement or attic of a home have the greatest initial impact on energy efficiency. The program is offered province-wide on a first-come, first-served basis and subject to funding availability. Application forms and additional information on this program can be found online.
In January 2019, the Provincial and Federal Governments announced $89.4 million in joint funding for the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund to support Newfoundland and Labrador’s climate action programs. Over the life of the fund, approximately $45.6 million is being provided by the Federal Government and the Provincial Government is contributing $43.9 million to support projects and programs, such as the Home Energy Savings Program, that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the province.
Quotes
“Actions taken for residents in our province such as support for the Home Energy Savings Program – Oil Heat, help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and I encourage all those eligible to apply. Along with the continued implementation of our Climate Change Action Plan, energy efficient programs also help stimulate clean innovation and growth, build resilience to climate change impacts and support the development of a green economy.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Environment and Climate Change
“As a government, we remain committed to reducing the province’s carbon footprint, improving the comfort and ‘health’ of a home, and continuing to ensure housing remains affordable for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. We have heard increased concerns about the rising cost of home heating fuel, and I am pleased to see this increased eligibility for the Home Energy Savings Program – Oil Heat, which enables the Provincial Government to assist approximately 200 households each year to complete energy efficiency upgrades, and reduce their energy costs.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“The Home Energy Savings Program is wonderful, and has helped us save over $900 annually on our oil heating costs. We’re very pleased and highly recommend the program, which has made our home much more energy efficient and warmer during the long winter months.”
Shirley and David Neville
HESP-Oil Clients
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Lynn Robinson
Environment and Climate Change
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Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
709-724-3055
jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
Honourable John Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) is pleased to announce the Corporation’s recently constructed eight-unit building on Froude Avenue, St. John’s has been officially certified through the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ (RHFAC) Program.
Minister Abbott recently visited one of the families in their new home and heard first-hand the positive difference these construction design features can have in the lives of people with accessibility needs.
RHFAC is a national rating system launched in 2017 which helps measure the accessibility of buildings and sites based on a consistent methodology, and promotes increased access through the adoption of Universal Design principles.
The building includes four wheelchair-accessible, two-bedroom units on the main level, and four two-bedroom units on the second level. The Universal Design features used throughout the building include items such as:
Ensuring all units in the building were energy efficient was a key element in design and construction. In addition to exceeding the National Building Code requirements for energy performance, the building also complied with the Provincial Government’s ‘Build Better Buildings’ policy. The property was also assessed under the EnerGuide for Homes rating system, confirming the units are energy efficient and will help reduce occupants’ energy costs.
Quotes
“I’m proud to say that in addition to receiving the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification, this development is the first multi-unit, residential building in Atlantic Canada to receive this designation. These construction features highlight the vision and skill of our NLHC team who planned and worked diligently to create these inclusive, energy-efficient and welcoming homes.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“Our new home has made a remarkable difference for our family. My daughter has been smiling since the day we moved in, thanks to the freedom and independence it offers her. I also want to thank NLHC’s staff who were incredibly helpful and made everything much easier for us.”
Clyde Driscoll
NLHC Tenant, Froude Avenue, St. John’s
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Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
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jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca
The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, and Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, attended the John Howard Society of Newfoundland and Labrador’s official opening of Garrison Place in St. John’s today.
Garrison Place, a new 10-unit supportive housing facility assisting individuals experiencing or most at risk of homelessness, is funded through an equally cost-shared $1.25 million investment by the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador under the Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement.
This project also received an additional $100,000 for programming and services space through the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation’s Provincial Homelessness Fund, and $232,475 from the Federal Government’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy.
Quotes
“The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is pleased to continue working closely with the Government of Canada and dedicated community-based partners, such as the John Howard Society, to ensure we are achieving better outcomes for the people of the province. For individuals who find themselves at risk of homelessness, access to safe, affordable housing options with support services can help them achieve greater stability and focus on their overall health and well-being.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“Our government is dedicated to helping those in need, which is why we are proud to have invested in this project in St. John’s. These new supported bachelor units are more than just safe and affordable places to live, they are key to a better life for the residents who will call them home.”
Nick Whalen
Member of Parliament for St. John’s East
“The John Howard Society of Newfoundland and Labrador truly appreciates its partnerships with the Federal and Provincial Governments and the funding they’ve provided for Garrison Place. This new facility will enable the Society to provide 10 permanent, affordable and supportive housing units to some of our community’s most vulnerable individuals who have experienced homelessness or who are at risk for homelessness.”
Bryan Purcell
President, John Howard Society of Newfoundland and Labrador
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Jenny Bowring
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
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Michelle Hunt-Grouchy
Children, Seniors and Social Development
709-729-5148, 682-6593
michellehuntgrouchy@gov.nl.ca
Michael Brewster
Office of Minister Duclos
613-220-5956
michael.brewster@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
514-283-3679
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Cindy Murphy
John Howard Society of NL
709-726-5540
cmurphy@jhsnl.ca